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Archive 2021 · Neon Bandit

  
 
MarkB1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Neon Bandit


Hello folks, been a while. Seems the world has slowed down for a bit, it's good for nature, enjoying it while I can.

I've been noticing for some years now, apart from the usual fluctuations in the appearance of seasonal insect life, there is definitely fewer around.

However, life goes on.

Here's one of my favourite creatures.

A Neon Cuckoo Bee that preys (is that the right word) primarily (AFAIK) at the nesting sites of the Blue Banded Bee here in Brisbane, Oz. They can be found perched or asleep on suitable roosts near the entrances to these nest sites.

I had some such bee hotels two house moves ago where many BBB's were born, with attendant Neon Cuckoo Bees. Since then, within a klick of the original location, there have been dramatically diminishing numbers - could be just age/condition related.

Anyway ...

The Neon Cuckoo bee resting from her efforts to populate the Blue Banded Bee’s nests in the big mud brick.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160538_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

During the day she took to the fern stems I put out for the purpose, and no BBB bothered her while she was there.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160506_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

This was late afternoon as the sun hit the ground in front of the BBB house, a short window for a lighter background.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160511_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

Such was her calm I had time for more considered shots, to get some greenery in. Colourful contrast pleases the eye.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160521_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

Then there’s the plastic roof on the BBB house, perishing now, trusting it will survive the summer. She gets around.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160577_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

She was unfazed by the BBB’s occasionally buzzing her at her varying resting places, clearly at ease in her being.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160398_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

And then there is the wood that keeps the plastic roof on the BBB’s house, a little weight in case of wind, and rain.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160465_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

Then there were these flies, as small as they look, showed interest in some of the BBB’s nests. Feeding perhaps.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160395_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

They took to the fern stems too, instinctively. A place of safety with only one narrow approach to it. It’s all relative.
https://onbeingmark.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/P1160503_Mark-Berkery_filtered-NI_2.jpg

"She came back, our Neon Cuckoo Bee. And the BBB’s were busy chasing her away.

But she didn’t mind, and she didn’t give up, dodging the natives in order to lay her eggs.

The BBB house has been very busy this year, and there will be more Neon Cuckoo bees for it.

The way it is, one thing feeds off another, and they’re all very focused about it, filling the need.

Nature needs to reproduce, plain and simple, and nothing will deter the instinctive will.

Except maybe the will before instinct. Nothing … to write home about though, for now."




Nov 19, 2021 at 07:32 PM
LordV
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Neon Bandit


Wonderful shots Mark.
I suspect the fly is Miltogramma rectangularis a kleptoparasite of wasp and bee nests.

Brian V.



Nov 20, 2021 at 12:54 AM
MarkB1
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Neon Bandit


Thanks Brian, appreciated.

You're probably right about the flies.



Nov 20, 2021 at 05:31 AM
e6filmuser
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Neon Bandit


Bees colour-matched to the roof. Whatever next?

A excellent set.

Harold



Nov 20, 2021 at 08:37 AM
birdied
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Neon Bandit


Absolutely amazing work and narrative. Truly enjoyable.

Birdie



Nov 20, 2021 at 06:48 PM
dclark
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Neon Bandit


Another set of your excellent images, and interesting commentary. Thanks for posting.

Dave



Nov 20, 2021 at 08:59 PM
DivineFocus
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Neon Bandit


Some amazing imagery. You macro guys are operating on whole different wavelength than me. I can't even make a decent macro shot of inanimate objects. Nicely done.


Nov 20, 2021 at 09:53 PM
MarkB1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Neon Bandit


e6filmuser wrote:
Bees colour-matched to the roof. Whatever next?

A excellent set.

Harold


Haha ... Purely coincidence, I assure you.

Thanks Harold.

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birdied wrote:
Absolutely amazing work and narrative. Truly enjoyable.

Birdie


Thanks Birdie, glad you enjoy it.

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dclark wrote:
Another set of your excellent images, and interesting commentary. Thanks for posting.

Dave


Thanks Dave, much appreciated.

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DivineFocus wrote:
Some amazing imagery. You macro guys are operating on whole different wavelength than me. I can't even make a decent macro shot of inanimate objects. Nicely done.


Thanks DF. I was like you once, but after years of digging (for the gold, there's a lot of muck to get through) and plenty of practise and experimentation I can now get a few decent shots on occasion, when nature or life allows - credit where it's due. :-)

There's a great thread going back years on macro shooters setups, here - https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/780820 - with examples of output. Well worth a look if you want to know more about that.




Nov 21, 2021 at 06:30 AM
octocore
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Neon Bandit


Really enjoying the matching turquoise and on the 5th image. Great composition too.


Dec 01, 2021 at 08:29 PM
thalia
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Neon Bandit


Wow! Really impressing. Even human eye doesn't see the beauty of nature so perfect.


Dec 02, 2021 at 08:22 AM
MarkB1
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Neon Bandit


octocore wrote:
Really enjoying the matching turquoise and on the 5th image. Great composition too.


Thanks O... Appreciated.

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thalia wrote:
Wow! Really impressing. Even human eye doesn't see the beauty of nature so perfect.


Modern technology enables us to see so much more of the wonder of nature. Some compensation perhaps for what it has also enabled us to destroy.

Thanks Thalia.



Dec 03, 2021 at 04:11 AM





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