This bee was perfectly positioned to allow me to get in nice and close. I think what really helped me get more magnification out of these shots was using extension tubes rather than a macro lens. They are tubes that connect between the camera and a lens, usually a prime lens like a 50mm, and can turn it into a macro-like lens that will allow much greater magnification than you usually get. This made the bee appear much larger in the frame but also involved some trial and error, as there is a challenge in focusing and it must be done both manually and by moving your camera closer and further until you get your subject sharp.
