Deep Red Dahlia with bright Gold centre entices this furry Honey Bee.
One of the most familiar insects in the world is the Honeybee. This member of the insect plays a key role in the human and natural world. More has been written about honeybees than any other species of insect. The human fascination with this insect began thousands of years ago when people discovered what wonderfully tasty stuff honey is!
Honey is a thick liquid produced by certain types of bees from the nectar of flowers. While many species of insects consume nectar, honeybees refine and concentrate nectar to make honey. Indeed, they make lots of honey so they will have plenty of food for times when flower nectar is unavailable, such as winter. Unlike most insects, honeybees remain active through the winter, consuming and metabolizing honey in order to keep from freezing to death.
Honeybees have a bright color pattern to warn potential predators (or honey thieves!) that they have a weapon to defend themselves.
Because the stinger is modified from a structure found only in females, male bees cannot sting. When the hive is threatened, honeybees will swarm out and attack with their stingers to drive the enemy away

Macro shot taken with a Pentax Optio RS1000 Hand Held Compact Camera Featured in The Group-Gallery Of Art July 2012