Most of the insects that I have observed feeding on Virginia Spring Beauty wildflowers (Claytonia virginica) have been equally small in size. I was a bit shocked, therefore, earlier this week to spot a large Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) gathering nectar and/or pollen from a small patch of Spring Beauties at Prince William Forest Park. The bee looked to be at least twice as large as each tiny flower. Wow!
The lighting was quite good and the bee was a bit distracted, so I was able to zoom in close and capture a lot of the details of the bee. I particularly like the speckled green eyes that look like they were carved out of a semiprecious stone. You can also see the bee’s tiny feet as it grasped the edges of the flower. I encourage you to click on the photos, especially the first one, to get a better look at the bee.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I know it’s only because nature is so difficult, one seldom see old, worn creatures. Maybe it’s just the lifespan. One does see some wear and tear as the season progresses. But the gorgeous perfection in the spring is breathtaking. The birds are like that. Just perfect.
Mike, what an amazing capture! He is huge (and the color is fascinating). I see the bee’s feet! You’re the bee’s knees in photos!
The enlarged photos are positively enchanting! As Benjamin would undoubtedly say : SPLENDIFEROUS! This is another must save for the boy known to some as “Bug” ( note on your post of April 2nd.) “We owe the bees. Act accordingly.” – Lars Chittka : July 2022 “The Mind of A Bee”. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Thanks for your kind words, Ellen. Writers are often told to think of a particular audience for their words and I remember keeping Benjamin in mind when I was composing some of my past postings. I try to keep a childlike sense of wonder and insatiable curiosity that so many adults seem to lose over time as they grow up. Like Peter Pan, I don’t want to grow up. 🙂
Marvelous close-up photos of this bee!