In the Bee Moments series I try to capture a bee’s endemic behavior. Seldom though does the same bee present two moments back to back that are somewhat opposite to each other. This Carpenter Bee though went from ignoring me in this shot, to trying too scare me off in another.

I came upon it gathering pollen from a Wild Strawberry flower next to a river on one of my favorite local hikes. Initially, it paid me little concern, save glancing over and pointing an antenna toward me. It was almost as if it was saying, "I'm Busy Here, please leave me be.” Hence the name of the photo felt appropriate. I also really love that I got lucky, and it was on a flower whose movement sort of pulls you in to look at what it’s up to.

Check out the companion print Easy There. When hung together, they make a good diptych that tells a really nice progressive story however you stack them. You could also hang this print individually in your office, study, library, reading nook, or any space where you need to post something saying, “Busy Here. Do Not Disturb”.

View Artwork