Comment from nikman
Quite a good garden shot posted here! The composition works well with the flowers pointing the eye to the bee. The shot is well exposed but I feel the bee could have been just a little bit sharper? Nevertheless, well done!

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Apr-2016

Thanks so much Nikman, I appreciate your positive feedback. :) Mary

Comment from Susan F. M. T.
Mary,
A brilliant stop action picture of the Honey Bee in flight as she approaches the Rosemary blossom to collect nectar & pollen to add to that already in her pollen baskets. Yes I can see the blur of hr wings, her antennae, proboscis, & the glint in her eyes. Beautiful composition, framing & lighting taken with superb camera techniques & sharp focus.
Susan

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Apr-2016

Thanks Susan, I really appreciate your positive feedback. :) Mary

Comment from Sange
Not sure what you mean by trying setting 1.
Your camera has a U1 and U2 setting for you to choose the settings so when you are out shooting the same subject you can quickly go to that setting. If you used the factory set one,then you are still shooting in auto.
You have a nice focus and stop action on the bee. But I can see your shutter speed was far too low. Shooting bees requires a shutter speed of 1/3200 or 1/4000sec or even higher.There was a weed in front if the bee which is what caused that soft line going through him.
You need to shoot HIGH shutter low f/stop. (F/4.5)
It is a nice capture Mary but since you own one of the Best cameras Nikon makes, it would be best that you choose all settings and not rely on auto.
Focus needs to be center metered, Shutter speed high, f/stop low and white balance, ISO and Exposure compensation need to be set manually to get best results.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2016

Thanks Sange I did select all settings but obviously not the right ones will keep trying. I was only meaning I had not set a user setting before and am still finding what things are for I appreciate your constructive advice and will up the speed on future cheers Mary

reply by Sange on 07-Apr-2016

For any wildlife...especially Bees.. Shutter speed needs to be 1/2500 minimum.. But I prefer 1/3200sec or higher because we have a Gulf wind that is always blowing.
So, High shutter requires a lower F/stop to get a creamy DOF.
Settings never really stay the same through out the day, due to lighting/ weather/ wind..
When we go shooting together my brother and Eileen, I am constantly telling them to change settings as the light changes.
I never was a fan of the U1/U2 settings.
I know the camera you use very well.
Even when you go to the zoo, RAISE that shutter speed and use Center meter for focal point focusing on the eye of your subject always.
Learning Exposure compensation/ EV (the plus/ minus button behind shutter button on camera) settings is crucial to get ISO correct along with white balance.
You can always email me here for help with settings.

Comment from dalebraatz
what a wonderful stop action bee, very good colors and details and depth and textures, Very pleasing to look at. Thank you for sharing. dale

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Apr-2016

Thanks very much Dale, I appreciate your positive feedback. :) Mary

Comment from michiganmike
One of these days I will have to experiment with all those mystery settings on my D7100. I like this shot with the barely visible wings and sharp eye. The shallow depth of field is very nice and the colors are great. The bee is very well shown.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Apr-2016

Thanks Mike your positive feedback is appreciated. :) Mary

Comment from Life is but a dream.
You can see a very ghost like blur on the wings, he almost looks suspended in mid air. Personally, a bit more wings would have added to the stop action feel.

Nice colour , I'm happy to see it is not overcooked.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2016

Thanks Olga appreciate your encouraging feedback. :) Mary

Comment from supergold
no I cannot see the wings; a wonderful stop action Mary with pin sharp focus on the bee taken in flight, against the blurred bg; perfect framing .

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2016

Wow thanks Fred, your high rating and positive feedback is so appreciated. :) Mary

Comment from Dick Lee Shia
I would consider cropping the back portion to make the bee more off center.
May I know what's the speed of this wide focal opening?
Perhaps its a cam shake...
Soothing verdant backdrop.
Thanks for sharing...

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2016

Thanks Dick, tried cropping differently but went back to this - F5.6 ISO640 82mm 1/1000 speed Cheers Mary

Comment from Fang Yu
dear Mary, What a lovely and beautiful capture! The focus is so sharp,the colors and balance are amazing!
My dear friend, I really love and enjoy this wonderful photography!
Thanks for sharing. GOOD
LUCK AND TAKE CARE !
Fang

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2016

Thanks so much Fang Yu your support and encouragement is appreciated. :) Mary

reply by Fang Yu on 07-Apr-2016

You are welcome,my dear friend!
Fang