©Chris Spohn
December 13, 2021
Emerald Under the Log
- as seen by -
Chris Spohn
As a volunteer at the Jacobsburg State Park close to our home, I was helping lead a group of kids to look for salamanders under some weathered logs. Fall is the time of year that a lot of amphibians are on the move to hide away for the winter. We did find some red-backed salamanders, but this green sweat bee (Agapostemon virescens) stole the show.
As bright as any emerald, this little jewel was moving slowly as the temperature had dipped. These insects are known to nest in wood (perhaps you’ve seen or heard of bee motels) and can use the same nesting site for years.
I quickly took this picture, explained to the kids that not all bees are yellow (I didn’t know this until I was 40), and carefully replaced the log keeping this jewel in my camera only.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This photo was chosen as one of the top submissions for Wild View’s A Pop of Color assignment. Congratulations!
Pentax k-1, Pentax d-fa 100mm Macro Lens
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