Lasting Just Four Seconds - _TNY_3103
Looking at this photo, you'd be excused if you though it was a bee. In fact, it is - but bee*s* as there are two of them!
The female European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) use hairs from plants like this lamb's ear for the chambers of their offspring.
The males have figured this out and make a territory around suitable plants where they chase away everything else except females - and when the ladies come there for the hairs he jumps on top of them and mate with them!
He's not much for endurance though, it only takes a couple of seconds for him to complete the act, leaving the girl sitting there looking like she wondering what happened. Also, this obviously leaves very little time for me to see them getting it on, get in close with the camera, find focus and take the shot.
I've taken photos of these bees since 2010, but this year (2021) is the first time I've managed to capture them in the act - but here it is. If you want to see more of them - I have a dedicated album here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/albums/72157667862870066
Lasting Just Four Seconds - _TNY_3103
Looking at this photo, you'd be excused if you though it was a bee. In fact, it is - but bee*s* as there are two of them!
The female European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) use hairs from plants like this lamb's ear for the chambers of their offspring.
The males have figured this out and make a territory around suitable plants where they chase away everything else except females - and when the ladies come there for the hairs he jumps on top of them and mate with them!
He's not much for endurance though, it only takes a couple of seconds for him to complete the act, leaving the girl sitting there looking like she wondering what happened. Also, this obviously leaves very little time for me to see them getting it on, get in close with the camera, find focus and take the shot.
I've taken photos of these bees since 2010, but this year (2021) is the first time I've managed to capture them in the act - but here it is. If you want to see more of them - I have a dedicated album here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/albums/72157667862870066