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Peter Bray | all galleries >> Galleries >> Macro - Sigma SD9/SD10/SD14 - 105mm > Bee Collecting Nectar From L. scoparium (manuka) Flower Showing Pollen.
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04-DEC-2003

Bee Collecting Nectar From L. scoparium (manuka) Flower Showing Pollen.

Canterbury, New Zealand

This photo shows pollen clearly visible (best at original size)
on some of the anthers, all over the bee's proboscis and on the
bee's foot standing on the flower's stamen. This pollen finds
its way into the nectar collected by bees foraging for nectar
(as this one is) and is the source of pollen found in honey that
can be used to determine the source of the honey with
pollen analysis (melissopalynology).

Note that there is no stored pollen on the back legs where bees
foraging for pollen accumulate it in their "pollen baskets" as can
be seen in this image http://www.pbase.com/image/43891550
Pollen collected by bees foraging for pollen is taken back to
the hive and stored in the brood nest so is a negligible source
of the pollen found in honey in most circumstances.

Sigma SD9 ,Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro
1/180s f/16.0 at 105.0mm iso100 with Flash full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Johnny Reumkens 27-Feb-2015 07:31
outstanding picture that tells the whole story without a single word
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