Some bees seem to be really tidy when they are gathering pollen, but this bee was a total mess, with pollen sticking all over its legs and underside. The bee looks to be some kind of honey bee, although the striped markings on its lower body seem a little unusual.
Often when I am shooting a macro shot, I am so worried about the technical aspects of the shot that I forget that photography is also an art. This image helps remind me that photography remains a creative pursuit, a fusion of art and science.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
That’s an amazing shot! Being a beekeeper, I love to see honeybees carrying a full load of pollen.
Thanks, Bill. There has been so much written about bees dying in large numbers, that I too am happy to see them. When they are gathering pollen, the bees seem so task-focused that they let me get pretty close.
Fabulous shot Mike 😀
Thanks. As you can see, I have been having a lot of fun with my macro lens recently. Hopefully I can continue to avoid being stung.
Excellent shot of what I’m sure must have been a very happy bee.
That was a great shot and the pollen on its body was the icing on the cake.