What Bees See!

[Pete Askew]

The world looks quite different when you can 'see' by UV!



Nikon D810 converted to UV sensitivity only + Nikon Rayfact UV 105 mm f1:4.5 lens. ISO 640, 1/8s at f1:8.0 - Daylight illumination. PP in LR / Nik ColorEFEX Pro 4.

And, what we see.



Sony RX100 V. PP in LR / Nik ColorEFEX Pro 4.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I've often contemplated such a phenomenon, especially as it questions what is reality. I believe it is a foundation of quantum theory, that reality depends on the position of the observer. Does the real colour of the petals exist outside our and the bee's experience, or is reality dependant on who or what is doing the observing? And has the flower evolved both colours simultaneously to attract bees for pollination, and to please us, so that we take care of it (lost cause in our house!)? And is it just colour that changes with the observer? What about shape, texture and smell?

Interesting image for a Sunday morning!

 

[Rense Haveman]

It's those dark spaces which attract bees, I imagine. It's the same with water-lilies, Nymphaea. I shortly worked on the ecology of this genus in the NL, and read a paper on UV patterns in these wonderful species. What we see as white flowers, are seen by pollinators as dark holes in a light world.

Thanks for showing, I like it!

 

[Pete Askew]

Black holes and quantum physics! What have I done?! - it was only a relatively quick snap!

Thanks, both. Now there's an idea. My neighbour has some water lilies out at the moment.

 

[Rense Haveman]

Black holes and quantum physics! What have I done?! - it was only a relatively quick snap!

Thanks, both. Now there's an idea. My neighbour has some water lilies out at the moment.

Shoot them with the leaves! There must be an interesting difference between the leaves and the flowers.....

 

[Dave Farnes]

A fascinating pair of images. Often seen different areas of the spectrum used in asrtonomical images, seldom in nature pics.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks, Dave. I still need to find some more flowers to shoot while the sun is still visible!