Tumbling flower beetle on American basket-flower
My first photo stop on May 1st was at the old Merrilltown Cemetery on Burnet Rd., at whose edges in past years I’d photographed plenty of American basket-flowers, Centaurea americana. Though it was still early in the season, a few basket-flowers had opened, and on one of them I found this tumbling flower beetle.
© 2017 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
this is an amazing shot, steve –
ksbeth
May 22, 2017 at 5:04 AM
I’ve photographed basket-flowers many times over the years and am always eager to find a different approach. The beetle provided one, and it also provided a challenge because it moved around fairly quickly on the flower head.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 5:15 AM
Just last week, I was driving along and saw a single, tall plant by the curb that had been missed by the mower. “That looks like a basketflower,” I thought. “I need to go back and check.” Well, I didn’t, but now I will. When I went into my files just now to check my basketflower photos, I found many from June of last year. It’s time to start paying attention.
Your treatment of the flower is beautiful, and the flower beetle is interesting. I’ve grown rather fond of those creatures. They can be amusing in their determination and gluttony.
shoreacres
May 22, 2017 at 6:44 AM
Last Thursday night someone told me that plenty of basket-flowers have been doing their thing down at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. That made me want to check some places I know for them on the north side of Austin but the sky has been overcast all week and continues so this morning. I hope you have better luck in your area. Determination’s good for that; gluttony won’t help.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 8:44 AM
Great photo, Steve, love that beetle perched on the flower petal!
composerinthegarden
May 22, 2017 at 7:08 AM
The beetle was having a grand time, and therefore so was I.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 8:46 AM
This is splendid!
melissabluefineart
May 22, 2017 at 7:33 AM
I just looked at the USDA map and was surprised to find basket-flowers marked for several counties in New Mexico and Arizona. Unfortunately these great flowers don’t make it up into northern Illinois.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 8:49 AM
I didn’t think I’d ever seen them here. I really love how you photographed this one, and the beetle.
melissabluefineart
May 23, 2017 at 9:49 AM
The beetle made a good counterbalance to all those curving floral ligules.
Steve Schwartzman
May 23, 2017 at 1:25 PM
Yes it did.
melissabluefineart
May 25, 2017 at 10:14 AM
It’s a wonderful shot of the flower, and that beetle looks like he’s having a pretty good time
Robert Parker Teel
May 22, 2017 at 7:51 AM
So was I. I always have a good time when I see basket-flowers.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 11:04 AM
That is a stunning image! The beetle, for me, adds humor! For some reason it makes me smile…
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
May 22, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Te deseo muchas sonrisas más.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 11:06 AM
What an occasion for you to spot, Steve! In the right place at the right time, and with the camera at the ready!
Have a wonderful week,
Pit
Pit
May 22, 2017 at 10:46 AM
When I get close to flowers I often notice insects and spiders on them. Spiders are usually not too hard to photograph because they tend to stay put. With insects it’s touch and go: some move pretty often and pretty quickly, as this one did. I used a shutter speed of 1/640 of a second for this picture.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 11:09 AM
Thanks for the info, Steve. 🙂
Pit
May 22, 2017 at 11:17 AM
Sure thing.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 1:52 PM
🙂
Pit
May 22, 2017 at 5:44 PM
fantastic photo, Steve
taphian
May 22, 2017 at 11:25 AM
Thanks. I was happy to get it.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Lovely! Looks like it has an ovipositor sticking out. Lurking in a flower, wonder if the species is an (unknowing) pollinator. Or maybe it preys on pollinators.
Robert Cox
May 22, 2017 at 12:45 PM
It’s normal for tumbling flower beetles to have an abdomen that tapers narrowly as it extend past the rest of the body in the rear, so I don’t think there’s an ovipositor in this picture. I do think these beetles can be unwitting pollinators.
Steve Schwartzman
May 22, 2017 at 1:52 PM
Love the sense of movement in this. That beetle does look about to take a tumble, too!
Susan Scheid
May 23, 2017 at 8:13 AM
Just so long as I don’t take a tumble as well (or more accurately “as ill”).
Steve Schwartzman
May 23, 2017 at 8:18 AM
Fabulous! What a superb shot Steve .. the colours are delightful. Looks like the beetle is having a grand time 🙂
Julie@frogpondfarm
May 25, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Sounds like you’re having as grand a time with this picture as the beetle was having with the flowers. I’m glad to hear it.
Steve Schwartzman
May 26, 2017 at 5:53 AM
Wow….you are good in photography…i like the flower.
marilynjourneytoeternity
July 11, 2017 at 8:10 AM
Thank you. Basket-flowers are indeed wonderful, and I got a bonus on this one.
Steve Schwartzman
July 11, 2017 at 8:16 AM
Yeah…..you got the best shot with a bee…seems you walk to forest to find this flower. We never know that its only in a basket haha
marilynjourneytoeternity
July 11, 2017 at 8:18 AM
This species of flower does have a conspicuous “basket”:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/basket-flower-from-below/
As for the insect, it’s not a bee but what’s called a tumbling flower beetle.
Steve Schwartzman
July 11, 2017 at 8:26 AM
I see…thanks for the information…also with the bee i thought hehe…
marilynjourneytoeternity
July 11, 2017 at 8:35 AM