Buff Tailed Bumble Bee, Bombus terrestris.

Common and widespread, except in N. After hibernation, female appears in April and visits flowers on sunny days. Builds nest in burrow. It is recognised by broad, buffish yellow band at front of thorax and on abdomen; tip of abdomen buff.

Macro photography is part equipment and part knowledge of the subject. The equipment I used was a macro lens with a home made flash bracket, this enabled me to place a small flash gun either side of the lens. The resulting exposure was f22 which gave sufficient depth of field to keep the bee and flower in focus. I have now replaced this flash bracket with a ring flash which produces a more even coverage as the flash element completely surround the lens.