
A blue carpenter bee grips the stem
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A blue carpenter bee grips a green stem beneath a purple flower, its vivid thorax standing out against the soft garden background. Fine blue hairs catch the light around its dark head and segmented abdomen. Its smoky wings lie along its back, while jointed legs hold the curved stem and two antennae extend forward from the face.
The close view reveals pollen grains and tiny hairs on the plant, adding detail around the insect without crowding the frame. Pale petals spread above the bee, their delicate veins lit from the side. Deeper green and lavender shapes fall out of focus behind it, allowing the glossy eye, wing veins and contrasting textures to remain the photograph's strongest features.
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