Photographing the Bees in Arizona 2023

Written By Blake Sneed

Hello, I'm Blake! I am a creator and a storyteller based in the southwestern USA. Whether you are new here or have been joining along on my past adventures, too, I hope you enjoy this springtime collection. I was so lucky to be(e) able to find some bees while I was filming myself hiking to one of my favorite waterfalls!

I started all of the fun off by fortunately getting to fly my drone a little before entering the Wilderness. I decided I would leave my drone behind before continuing on, since flying in United States wilderness areas is prohibited. I then began hiking, and since it is springtime, the whole time I was just looking for bees on flowers. I was so delighted to be(e) lucky enough to find some of the bees that I set out looking for.

I found a few different types of bees on my hike. I am not a bee expert, but I do be(e)lieve I found some native Arizona bees, like this carpenter bee.

I also found a smaller type of bee or bee-lookalike. To me it looks like a Cuckoo or Nomad bee, but I am not completely sure. If you know, please feel free to comment below or send me a message and let me know, because I am still super curious and would love to learn more about them!

The last kind of bee I was extremely excited to be(e) able to find on this hike was diving in and out of in a cactus flower! In Arizona there are “cactus bees”. It definitely could be(e) one, and again, if you know and want to comment on this post below or reach out to me to tell me what kind of bee this is, please do! My best guess is that it is some type of Arizona Cactus Bee.

I also finally ended up making it to the waterfall, around when the sun was starting to set for the night. Although night was falling, I decided I still wanted to put my head under the waterfall before starting the hike back, and I am so glad I did because it was so refreshing!

You can see all of the bee photos I took this day, and me stick my head under a waterfall, in the vlog I made of this adventure, which I have posted on my YouTube channel and linked below. Exploring, documenting, and sharing what I find are true passions of mine. Thank you, as always, for joining along with me on my adventures, and remember to keep adventuring safely and responsibly!

 
Blake Sneed

My name is Blake, and I’m a photographer and storyteller based in Arizona, USA.

The American Southwest is where I have spent most of my time exploring, and my photographs are inspired by the natural beauty and magic I have encountered throughout this remarkable region.

The places, plants, and wildlife featured in my photos are incredibly special to me, and I strive to capture and share their unique essence in my work.

I’m generally drawn to anything natural—from the incredibly fine details you can discover when you look closely at a tree leaf, for example, to the complex patterns that emerge when you zoom out and see the whole forest. I love getting in close to see how seemingly small details can connect to something much larger, and how nature can be incredibly intricate and complex, yet still feel simple and peaceful. My work is an exploration of these connections, contrasts, and the quiet harmony I find within them and want to express and share.

I love the spirit of adventure—the open road to somewhere new, breathing in fresh air, and feeling the sun and wind on my skin. My main goal with my photography and storytelling is to connect with others through a shared sense of wonder and beauty—to inspire exploration and a deeper experience of the world around us, encourage people to look a little closer at what calls to them, and create what speaks to their hearts.

As I continue adventuring, I strive to keep learning so that I can do all I can to help protect and preserve these sacred places. Through sharing my work, educating others about what I have learned, and continuing to deepen my own personal connection with these places, I hope to encourage a greater understanding of, appreciation for, and protection of the natural world that is all around us.

I’m forever grateful that photography gives me a way to document my own vision, experiences, and connections along my journey. I hope my work inspires you to stay curious, explore the world, and find a little more wonder along the way.

https://blakesneed.com
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