Halictus tectus, f, scutum, montgomery county, md 2016-07-19-15.27 (28502149762)

A relatively new invader to North America. Unlike most of the other invasive bees, this is a ground nester, most of the others nest in holes and likely come over as nest stowaways in shipping containers and dunnage. The first record for this species was downtown Philadelphia right at the rotary in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art where Rocky ran up the steps. Halictus tectus is a bee of the most desparate of man-made environments. It loves construction sites, playgrounds, and human wastelands of all kinds. It lives in the Mid-Atlantic right now but will sure spread throughout the continent. Collected by Tim McMahon at a horse stables in Montgomery County, MD.
21:23, 7 August 2016 (UTC)21:23, 7 August 2016 (UTC){{{{{{0}}}}}}21:23, 7 August 2016 (UTC)21:23, 7 August 2016 (UTC)
All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.
Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

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You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:
Art Photo Book: Bees: An Up-Close Look at Pollinators Around the World
www.qbookshop.com/products/216627/9780760347386/Bees.html...
Basic USGSBIML set up:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY
USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4
PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:
ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf
Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:
plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo
or
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU
Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:
www.photomacrography.net/
Contact information:
Sam Droege
[email protected]

301 497 5840