Through My Lens

It was only yesterday that I discovered bees that were blue in color. Being more familiar with the yellow and black ones, the honey bees,  I initially thought what was hovering was a blue bottle fly. With closer inspection, I was just amazed that bees could be blue and irridiscent!  Of course, I needed to take photos, not realizing that they are a challenge to chase with the lens.They move much faster than honey bees and they hover, something that honeybees don't do. It was amazing to watch them suspended in air for a few seconds and just when I was ready to click the shutter, the frame is without the bee.  For more than an hour,  I watched,  waited,  clicked and was truly entertained! Reading on blue banded bees, it is said that they are a native of Australia but can sometimes be seen elsewhere. Scientific name, Amegilla   cingulata , blue banded bees do not form hives. They  are solitary. They work alone. They are introver...

I grew up thinking this tiny brown bird is the Maya referred to as the former national bird. It's the more common bird that can be seen even in the city and I guess people thought it's being common is the same as being endemic; therefore worthy of the status national bird. Many Pinoys have the same incorrect notion as I do. The real Maya bird is brownish red in body and has a black head. The bird in the photo is the Eurasian Tree Sparrow and was never the national bird. Nonetheless, a bird so easily taken for granted is one that I miss nowadays. We used to reside in a place where they could be seen in plenty. With more urbanization. more condominiums in the city, they mostly concentrate now just where there are parks and trees.

On July 19, 2013, I submitted this photo to National Geographic's YourShot. Out of 2520 photo uploads that day, editors of National Geographic included my image among the top 12 of their Daily Dozen favorites. It is such an honor to be recognized by National Geographic. Thanks to the one supreme photographer up there! ;)               http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/daily-dozen/2013-07-19/ Taken at the Aliwan Festival Quirino Grandstand, Manila 2013 A couple of participants to the festival dressed in tribal warrior costume at the backstage await their turn to perform while watching their competitors' perfomances. ©alana palomique http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/daily-dozen/2013-07-19/

The awesome power and beauty of nature gracing the landscape of MetroManila on the night of  July 16, 2013  © alana palomique all photos are copyrighted.  author's name will appear in the EXIF data of the images. please do not use without permission. July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City July 16, 2013 Quezon City September 2013 Quezon City September 18, 2013 Quezon City Cloud to cloud lightning Cloud Flashes

I used to be so scared of lightnings but photography has changed that for me. Every time dark clouds start covering the sky, I forget about gloom. Instead, I look forward to capturing awesome power!

An Odd-Eyed Cat lurks...