Several pale wax combs hang beneath a broken bough, sheltered by the rough curve of an old tree. Their irregular edges run beside one another like narrow curtains. Dense patches of bees darken the lower surfaces, while exposed areas near the top reveal the small repeated cells. The nest belongs directly to the branch, with no wooden frame surrounding it.

The photograph holds the whole structure within its woodland setting. Cracked bark and a dark hollow shelter the upper edge, and small fern fronds grow from damp pockets nearby. Beneath the arch of the tree, a shallow stream winds past mossy stones into the forest. Uneven light separates the warm wax from the darker colony without making either look detached from the place around it.

This vertical nature photograph suits a woodland collection or a feature about the structures animals build for themselves. Its interest comes from the scale and arrangement of the complete wild hive, as well as its fine detail. The image is free to download and reuse, including commercial use. A credit link to this photo page helps others find it.