Summer with bees, this has to be a given right? Today in Appreciate the Moments, a challenge for bloggers, we celebrate Summer and some of the things I enjoy most along with some surprisingly fabulous bee images.
I looked at our blog worthy pictures collected over the past few months. Summer has been amazing this year in New Zealand and so I am adding both summers with bees and summer with cats into our Moments mix!
Smartphone Close-Ups of Nature
These bee close-ups were taken with an iPhone 6, not a fancy DSLR camera and a fancy lens.
The lesson here? Never be afraid to get out and experiment now the sunshine is reaching the northern hemisphere and summer sunshine and light will make pictures and movies even easier to create.
Experiment, your smartphone or a point and shoot might surprise you.
Summer with Bees in New Zealand
Photographers may think you can’t do much with a smartphone but I know better.
Thanks to being Finalists two years running in the BlogPaws® Nose to Nose Awards, I know that having a ‘phone nearby allows you to capture plenty of special quality moments you might miss while struggling with a DSLR.
These pictures of summer with bees hovering around a Heuchera plant (Type: Obsidian) is one I am very pleased with and they taught me a valuable lesson: never underestimate the power of your smartphone camera for close up pictures.
Here’s another picture that says Summer to us in New Zealand.
Silver is lounging under our Banksia bush. This extravagant shrub sprouts tall cylindrical flowers about 26 cms/ 10 inches tall. You can see some of last year’s flowers drying in the sun.
Thanks to our amazing summer lasting from December well into April we really had time to appreciate the New Zealand summer season, and remember some important things.
- Yes cats need sunscreen if they go out in the garden or on to a catio
- Cats enjoy a drink of water so leave plenty around the house and garden
- and cats really enjoy peace and quiet with their garden shade!
We hope you enjoy the blog hop celebrating our favourite season of the year and thank you to EveryDayDogBlog and DogMomDays for the chance to join the fun.
Amanda Yantos says
Bees look so fluffy and cute up close! I wish I could pet them, MOL!
Jan K says
Bees are so important! We try to have as many plants and flowers around here that attract them, since they help pollinate in our vegetable garden.
You are right about the iphones, sometimes I’m amazed with how what great photos it takes. I struggle with my DSLR a lot of the time, so it’s nice to have another option.
Dash Kitten says
You are right! I loved capturing the bee pictures because these precious creatures ARE an important part of our own veggie garden.
Jana Rade says
I do love bees. Though not anywhere too close; Cookie already got herself stung a few times. One solution, I guess, would be “elevated” flowers. LOL
Dash Kitten says
I have issues with our more adventurous garden cats and them getting too close to bees. A bit of a worry I confess.
speedyrabbit says
Pawsome photo’s…..Bees and Sunshine that’s what summer is all about!xx Speedy
The Swiss Cats says
Beautiful photos ! We usually use a camera, mostly indoor, but the phone takes great photos outdoor, as well. A phone allows you to be more spontaneous ; Claire has always her phone with her. Purrs
Sweet Purrfections says
I must admit that I get some better photos with my iPhone than I do with my expensive Nikon. Of course, that could be because I haven’t figured out how to use the camera yet! Nice photos!
Noodle says
Ours never come out right with the phone.
Must be all those years of using a camera. Heck we just got used to digital!
Have a great weekend…
Noodle and crew
Dash Kitten says
You tread the path in reverse Noodle!
Melissa & Mudpie says
Beautiful pictures! Actually, I’d rather experience summer via photos than the real thing! I’m not a fan of summer…I’m a winter girl through and through LOL
Beth says
These photos are great! I hate to think of a world without bees, but it seems like it might be a possibility if people keep ignoring the dangers of pesticides. Pollination is such an important part of the food cycle!
Cathy Armato says
These photos are gorgeous! The iPhone appears to be stellar in the camera area, not all Androids are. Mine is hugely disappointing. I just got it last year & I don’t have the funds to buy another new one yet. It’s ok for outdoor photos in full light but shade and indoor pics are awful. I try to have my DSLR with me whenever possible, that one works great. Thanks for sharing the blog hop!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs says
Petcretary doesn’t have a smart phone, but she does sometimes use her iPad to make closeups…and the only camera she has is a point and shoot one, not a DSLR. Pawppy has one of those, and petcretary says it makes her head spin,MOL! There are plenty of features on her P & S camera and she hasn’t even explored all of those, MOL!
Petcretary often says , she wishes she had a camera in her fingertip! Hah! That makes her think of ‘Get Smart’…remember that show? Now she is letting you know she is ancient:)
Laila and Minchie says
Bees are so beautiful but if there is one flying around, you would not believe how fast our mom can run to get away from them! MOL!
mommakatandherbearcat says
God’s creatures are so amazing and each is beautiful in its own right!
Holly says
Beautiful pictures! I am completely rubbish at photography. I’m going to have to work on it so I can stop using stock photos. Those bee photos are amazing.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
Lovely summer photos. I’ve been using the iphone more so I don’t have to lug the DSLR. A friend has bees (we stay away because of Mr. N’s allergies) but they’re fun to watch.
Dear Mishu says
I can’t believe you took those great photos with your iPhone. And bees — how cool! I wish I could buzz like that
Dash Kitten says
It was our bee images that really opened our eyes to smartphone potential.
The Island Cat says
Those bee pictures are great. The mom has been using her iPhone more and more for taking photos of us…rather than her regular camera which she says isn’t so great anymore.
Hindy Pearson says
The pictures are lovely!! I am the world’s worst picture taker, trust me on that one, so a few months ago I decided it was time to change that. I bought I Nikon bridge camera and took a very beginner’s course and started taking pictures. I know in order to get good you have to do it every single day, but I don’t!! We’ve had some lovely summer weather here in England (okay not yesterday or today), and I’m loving being in the garden as well…the perfect opportunity for some snaps. We’re off to Scotland next week so there should be some incredible scenery to shoot.
Brian Frum says
Love the photos! We use the iPhone for photos often too. Have a great weekend!
Lola The Rescued Cat says
There are always lots of moments to appreciate, but humans forget that a lot. We’re glad you’re enjoying your moments.
Ruth Epstein says
Confession – I use a camera LOL but take lots of pictures and Layla now hides I think when she sees them. Cannot wait for the summer holidays to start so that I can have adventures and take lots of pics. I always love yours
da tabbies o trout towne says
wavez two ewe silver !!! next time yur out o doorz N joy sum out o doorz for uz pleez. we still haza 4, but it takez prettee good snap shotz; grate act shoo a lee coz we due knot own a cameraz !!! mum getted sum awesum bee shots…we hope ta see sum bumblez round heer thiz
summer 🙂 insert heartz XXX
Michelle says
Phones are amazing these days! I finally upgraded my iPhone because I couldn’t wait to get a better camera. It’s convenient too!
Three Chatty Cats says
I completely agree! Most of the photos that appear on my blog are taken with my iPhone. I break out the DSLR for product reviews and sometimes just randomly as well. But newer smartphones really do take great photos. Like you said, they’re much faster as well. Your bee photos are great!
Summer says
My human takes lots of photos of me with her iPhone – actually she liked the 6 Plus better than her current 8 Plus.