Emergency Procedure!, a photo from Lancashire, England

Photographer's Note

Hello Everyone,

My photograph, today, is not spectacular but it is a little bit of evidence of how we can help nature.

I found this bee, exhausted and lethargic on our garden step.

By making a sugar solution and just leaving a thin layer of it on a spoon, the bee was able to feed from it and within a few minutes had enough energy to fly away.

This sugar solution should only be used in emergencies to revive an exhausted bee; the sugar solution should not be left there indefinitely to encourage bees to come down, as it is a poor substitute for nectar and should be used for just a one-off revival procedure.

Thank you for your interest,
Bev :-)

I tried to identify the bee from my photograph and think it is a Bombus terrestris, the buff-tailed bumblebee or large earth bumblebee; it is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe. It is one of the main species used in greenhouse pollination.

pierrefonds, ChrisJ, ikeharel, Fis2, worldcitizen, Silvio1953, jemaflor, Periko, COSTANTINO, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102800) 2022-05-25 5:49

Hello Bev,
This is a very interesting and original composition accompanied by an informative note. It is a very touching photo, and even if it's not really spectacular I will keep it among my favourites for this gentle view of a small but important member of our wildlife. But Bombus terrestris sounds dangerous!
Kind regards,
Gert

pierrefonds (114556) 2022-05-25 5:54

Hi Bev,

You had a good idea to help the bee. The point of view is showing the details of the spoon and of the Bunble Bee. The light is making the colors to stand out. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jmdias (115280) 2022-05-25 6:43

bev

I never had see such bee with a red neck. nice you helped it to go on. my mother does this sometimes when they are closed in the windows , becoming so weak to go away, and she gives them a bit of real honey. anyway here in brazil it is usual people being killed by bees.

take care

jorge

ChrisJ (171888) 2022-05-25 6:58

Hello Bev

For a moment I thought the bee was admiring its own reflection in the spoon. A good idea to provide some emergency sustenance for the exhausted insect. Tfs!

ikeharel (113453) 2022-05-25 8:26

It is an unusual entry on TE, but we learn something new as TE mission was described, Beverley.
captured well while the bee already "understood" what she was offered.
Good evening,
Ike

dedee (3111) 2022-05-25 9:14

Hi Bev
A fascinating close up shot and very well done.
We have done similar things to help bees who occasionally get stucin our conservatory. We must do all we can to help these creatures.
David

Tue (92482) 2022-05-25 9:54

Hello Beverley,
Excellent impression of your rescue operation for this bumblebee! All bees and bumblebees deserve to be helped whenever we can, they are so important! And of course also beautiful creatures, as this clear photo proves as well.
Lars

Fis2 (170885) 2022-05-25 12:48

Witaj Bev!
A very interesting photo with a spectacular story.
I like composition, framing and colors.
Very well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

lousat (139342) 2022-05-25 12:50

Hi Bev,a really well done rescue work, of course I like these posts for a topic I'm a big fan of, great job and perfect identification of Bombus terrestris. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

worldcitizen (16106) 2022-05-25 13:27

Hello Bev,
How sweet! I've read that these types of bees are very smart and social. I've even heard stories of people befriending injured bees, caring for them, and forming a bond with them! I know you had to snap quickly, but you were still able to capture the colors of this bee, and avoid overexposure of the spoon. Take care!

Silvio1953 (221751) 2022-05-25 22:15

Ciao cara Bev, great action for you and really an interesting note, beautiful macro with fine details, wonderful natural colors and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (147248) 2022-05-25 23:28

Hi Bev,
interesting shot, a close-up well taken, good sharpness management and original action, good idea, tfs

ifege (48183) 2022-05-25 23:48

Hi Bev
Well done with your wildlife rescue job. Not having bumble bees in Australia except in Tasmania they are always interesting for me and this one, especially with its red stripe.
cheers
Ian

Periko (9107) 2022-06-03 21:33

Hello Beverley
Very significant both, photo and note.
We often forget the importance of these insects.

Best regards

COSTANTINO (116604) 2022-06-06 12:48

Hello my dearest Beverley and have a nice day
a strange photo with great originality
the inspiration has no limits
regards
Costantino

mkamionka (74577) 2022-06-07 10:13

Hi Bev,
This is so very kind and noble of you!
I don't have anything against the bumble bees but I don't like wasps... Also I don't like if they try to build a nest in my house, which has happened before. I have 9 bushes of lavender so when they start blooming I have hundreds of bumble bees there. It is sometimes scary to pass by especially with a lawn mower which annoys them...
Great capture, good idea to advertise how we can help the nature,
M

GyurMaster (24840) 2022-06-17 5:08

Dear Beverley,

So, you rescued a bee? Nice! :) The resulting photograph is well complemented by the note.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

macjake (98456) 2022-06-19 21:20

Hi Bev
now this is a unique shot for sure.
you planned this well. I don't think i've ever seen a bee with a red/orange band around it like that...that's strange.
good for you to do this, you've earned your good-deed-of-the-day award! cheers
Craig