23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Leafcutter bees protecting their home

While out in the nature, I spotted this small hole where I could see leafcutter bees flying around. While it looked like a normal bee activity from far, as I went closer, I saw that this was a bee hive where a few of the bees were protecting the entry while other bees were continuously flying in to drop the food and then flying out again. I waited there and clicked many shots, to eventually get a sharp shot with the full hole covered by these soldiers with just their eyes visible.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Delhi, India
Camera: Canon EOS 90D
Copyright: © Aneesh Bhasin