A World in Flight: Honoring Bees and Bumblebees on World Bee Day
BY ALEX
3 MIN READ
LAST UPDATE
MAI 20, 2025
A World in Flight: Honoring Bees and Bumblebees on World Bee Day
Today, May 20th, we celebrate World Bee Day — a moment that reminds us how incredibly valuable these tiny beings are for the balance of life on Earth.
I’ve selected some of my favorite macro photographs of bees and bumblebees captured over the past years, not just to showcase their beauty, but to reflect on their vital importance.
Silent Pollinators, Essential Allies
Bees aren’t just insects buzzing from flower to flower. They are key players in life’s intricate web. Around 75% of global food crops depend, in some way, on pollination, and bees directly support the survival of both wild plants and agricultural systems. Without them, many fruits, vegetables, and seeds would become difficult or even impossible to grow.
Bumblebees: Fuzzy and Underestimated
Besides the well-known honeybee (Apis mellifera), my images also include bumblebees (Bombus species) — easily recognized by their round, fuzzy appearance. Less aggressive, more resilient to cold, and incredibly efficient pollinators, bumblebees are especially crucial for crops like tomatoes, raspberries, and blueberries.
With their low-frequency buzz, bumblebees vibrate flowers in a way that helps release pollen — a phenomenon known as buzz pollination.
Facing Threats and Decline
Though we associate them with sunny fields and blooming meadows, bees are increasingly under threat. Pesticides, habitat loss, disease, invasive species, and climate change all put their survival at risk. Some bumblebee species have already disappeared from parts of their range, and honeybee populations are declining alarmingly.
How Can We Help?
Even a small garden or balcony can become a refuge for pollinators. Here are a few simple but impactful actions:
Plant native, nectar-rich flowers (like lavender, marigold, mint, thyme, etc.)
Avoid using pesticides
Let wildflowers grow and reduce over-trimming
Support local beekeepers and organic products
A Visual Journey Through Detail
Behind every macro image lies hours of patience, observation, and silent awe. Photographing bees and bumblebees has opened my eyes to a world we rarely take the time to see. A body covered in pollen, a transparent wing shimmering in morning light, or a dew drop resting on a compound eye — these tiny elements become mesmerizing when truly observed.
This photo series is my way of saying thank you to these delicate, hard-working creatures that quietly support life on our planet.
With light,
Alex Gabor
jurnalulf56.com
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