How do you approach each day? Do you embrace it with all of your energy, like this bumblebee seems to be doing as it leaps into a patch of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)? Most mornings, my body needs the stimulation of coffee and bright colors like those in this photo have the same effect in awakening my other senses.
I had never seen Butterfly Weed until a few days ago, when I encountered it at a local garden, and I was immediately captivated by its vibrant color. According to Wikipedia, it is a species of milkweed native to North America that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds (and obviously bees too).
I love the unusual position of this bee. It looks like he is skydiving, gliding through the air.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Another super capture!
Thanks, Victor. I have been chasing a lot of insects recently and am happy that I have managed to get some interesting shots.
I’ve never seen butterly weed growing here either. That’s an awesome shot!
I wouldn’t have known what it was if there had not been a sign with its name, though I did not that the shape of the flowers looked a little like milkweed.
Butterfly weed is very abundant here in Arkansas along roadsides. It stands out against the green grass. Your photographs remind me that I need a 105mm macro lens like yesterday. Always a pleasure to see your work.
Thanks. I love my macro lens and it definitely gets a workout in spring and summer especially.
That sky diving effect is neat and the colours highly stimulating.
You can’t image how much convincing it took to get the bee to glide like that and not flap its wings.
That’s orange! I am a butterfly weed (well really all milkweed) fan because it draws so many insects. The BF weed comes in a variety of colors from pale yellow-orange to vibrant orange-red. I love the color of this one — you should collect some seed and plant it (or give it to Cindy Dyer for her garden)!
That sounds like a great idea, Sue. How would I go about collecting seed?