Half-black bumble bees mating (video and pic)

The other day I discovered a pair of half-black bumble bees (Bombus vagans) busily mating on my back deck. Naturally I took photos. But I also shot a video and uploaded it to YouTube. It’s a bit silly, and the staff of National Geographic has no reason to be worried (yet). But it was fun to produce and I learned a lot about video editing. And I am inordinately proud of the opening “macrocritters” graphic I designed!</SPAN>

My latest video attempt: </SPAN>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRy84cjGGQM

Cheers,</SPAN>
EC</SPAN>
More information and photos: Video: half-black bumble bees mating | macrocritters</SPAN>

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/9...f832e2ef_z.jpgP9170064 copyright ernie cooper 2013 2 by ernie.cooper, on Flickr</SPAN>

Stills: Olympus OM-D E-M5; </SPAN>Zuiko 60mm micro four thirds macro</SPAN>; </SPAN>manual exposure (F11 @ 1/200 sec); </SPAN>Olympus RF-11 ring flash (1/4-1/2 power); ISO</SPAN> 200</SPAN>
Video: Olympus OM-D E-M5; </SPAN>Zuiko 60mm micro four thirds macro</SPAN>; </SPAN>shutter priority (@ 1/50 sec)</SPAN>; ISO</SPAN> 200</SPAN>