I love the way that this acrobatic bee was able to position its antennae for optimized access to the nectar in this bee balm flower last Friday at Green Spring Gardens. The bee was so focused on the flower that it paid me no attention, allowing me to get really close to it to capture this image.
I believe that the bee is an Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica). As for the flower, there was quite a variety of flowers in different colors that looked like this one. I think that it is a type of bee balm (g. Monarda), though I really do not know flowers very well.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
We have bee balm in our yard, Mike. One of the nice things is that the bees like it so much, they’re never bothered by me trying to snag a picture. Of course, mine are usually taken with my phone. This one is excellent.
Thanks, Dan. I am amazed at the macro capabilities of modern cell phones. One of my friends recently took some bee photos with her phone that were amazing.
My phone isn’t exactly “modern” but it’s nice to be able to take a picture when I don’t have a camera.
Wonderful capture of all the textures of the bee and flower.
I never think of bees as acrobatic. But you are right. They must engage in serious trapeze work to delve into some flowers. Thank you for a lovely photo. Inspiring.
We really owe that bee a lot! You’re honoring it beautifully!
Very nice image Mike! Great Bee image!