Capturing THE Buzz: Fingerlakes Honey Company Wins Photography Awards!
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
Hey Honey Fans!
At Fingerlakes Honey Company, we don’t just care for bees—we celebrate them. Through the lens of our camera, we capture the magic of pollination, the golden glow of honeycombs, and the fascinating world inside the hive.
We’re thrilled to announce that our dedication to bee photography has been recognized—we’ve won some awards in The National Bee & Wildlife Photography Awards for our nature photography! This honor means the world to us, as it allows us to share the beauty of bees while raising awareness of their importance in our ecosystem. So grab your honey-sweetened Lemon Bee Tea with honey of course, and find out more about our award-winning photographs!
The Art of Bee Photography
Photographing bees is no easy task. These tiny creatures are always in motion, buzzing from flower to flower, collecting nectar, and working together in perfect harmony. Patience, timing, and an understanding of their behavior allow us to capture these fleeting moments in stunning detail.
From a honeybee balancing delicately on a wildflower to the mesmerizing patterns of a honeycomb glowing in the light, each photo tells a story of hard work, resilience, and nature’s perfect design.
Award-Winning Photos
We’re excited to share our award-winning photos that capture the beauty of our bees in action (and of course, we save the best until last):
📸 🥉 3RD PLACE HONEY BEE CATEGORY:
HONEY BEE ON FLOWER-
Our third-place award-winning photo captures a breathtaking moment of a honeybee delicately perched on a white flower with vibrant yellow stamens. The soft petals contrast beautifully with the bee’s golden-brown body, while the sunlight reflects off its wings, creating a shimmering glow. This image perfectly showcases the intricate details of nature—tiny pollen grains clinging to the bee’s legs, the delicate veins in its translucent wings, and the harmony between pollinator and plant. A true testament to the beauty of bees in action.
📸 🥈 2ND PLACE HONEY BEE CATEGORY:
HONEY BEE AT SUNSET-
Our second-place award-winning photo captures a honeybee in a stunning silhouette against the warm hues of a setting sun. Perched on a delicate purple flower, the bee is bathed in golden light, its tiny form outlined against the soft, glowing sky. The contrast between the rich purples of the petals and the fiery oranges and pinks of the sunset creates a breathtaking moment of harmony in nature. This image is a reminder of the quiet beauty found at dusk, when the last light of the day highlights the tireless work of our beloved pollinators.
📸 🥈 2ND PLACE PEOPLE'S CHOICE CATEGORY-
HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU-
Our second-place winner in the People's Choice category, "Here's Looking at You," is a charming close-up that brings personality to one of our hardworking honeybees. Perched on a golden honeycomb, this little pollinator appears to be staring directly into the camera, its large, glossy eyes reflecting the light. The intricate details of its fuzzy body, delicate antennae, and the perfectly symmetrical hexagonal comb create a mesmerizing snapshot of life inside the hive. This photo resonates with so many because it captures the intelligence, curiosity, and charm of these incredible pollinators up close.
📸 🏅 HONORARY MENTION HONEY BEE CATEGORY-
THIRST TRAP-
Our Honorable Mention winner, "Thirst Trap," captures a delightful and unexpected moment of a honeybee taking a drink of water. Perched on the spout of an outdoor faucet, the bee is calmly sipping from a small droplet of water, its delicate wings glistening in the light. This charming photo highlights the importance of hydration for bees, often overlooked in their busy lives of pollination. The simple yet captivating scene reminds us of the balance of nature and the tiny moments that make our world so fascinating.
📸 🏅 HONORARY MENTION PEOPLE'S CHOICE CATEGORY-
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT-
Our Honorable Mention winner, "You Are What You Eat," is a delightful snapshot of honeybee teamwork and the sweet rewards of their labor. In this image, a group of bees gathers on a table, with one bee perched atop a jar of honey, seemingly enjoying the fruits of its hard work. The golden glow of the honey reflects the bees’ industrious nature, as they are surrounded by their own creation. This photo beautifully captures the connection between the bees and the honey they produce, highlighting the circle of life in the hive and the essential role these pollinators play in bringing us nature’s sweetest gift.
📸 🥉 3RD PLACE RARE SIGHTINGS CATEGORY:
The Elusive Feather Wing Bee-
Our third-place winner in the Rare Sightings Category, "The Elusive Feather Wing Bee," captures a rare and captivating mutation of a honeybee with wings that resemble delicate bird feathers. This unique genetic variation gives the bee an almost mystical, otherworldly appearance. The texture and form of the feather-like wings are beautifully highlighted in this rare moment, showcasing a fascinating mutation that sets this bee apart from the typical honeybee. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into nature’s incredible diversity and the unexpected wonders it can produce.
📸 🏅 HONORARY MENTION RARE SIGHTINGS CATEGORY-
Burning the Candle at Both Ends-
Our Honorable Mention Rare Sightings winner, "Burning the Candle at Both Ends," beautifully captures the tireless work of honeybees within their hive, illuminated by the soft glow of beeswax candles. The bees are seen diligently working on their wax combs, surrounded by the warm, flickering light of the candles, which are made from the very substance they create. This photo symbolically shows the bees "burning the candle at both ends"—working tirelessly to produce honey and wax, while also lighting their way with their own creation. The soft light and intricate details of the combs emphasize the harmony and hard work of these incredible creatures.
AND WHAT YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR
OUR TOP WINNERS...
📸 🏆FIRST PLACE RARE SIGHTINGS CATEGORY-
Frolicking Foxes-
Our 1st Place winner in the Rare Sighting category, "Frolicking Foxes," captures a truly astonishing moment in nature. In this incredible image, a curious red fox pauses in a sunlit meadow, seemingly mesmerized by an even rarer sight—the elusive Fox Honey Bee. This remarkable bee, perched delicately on a bright yellow flower, boasts a fiery orange coat of fur-like hairs and an unmistakably fox-shaped face. Its pointed "ears" and narrow snout-like features make it look like a miniature flying fox, blending the worlds of mammal and insect in the most surreal way.
📸 🏆GRAND PRIZE WINNER HONEY BEE CATEGORY-
WHO WILL WIN THE FIGHT?-
Our GRAND PRIZE award-winning photo, "Who Will Win the Fight?", captures an electrifying moment of nature’s unlikely showdown. In this stunning image, a massive grizzly bear stands before a towering tree, roaring in frustration at a single honeybee hovering defiantly in its path. The sheer contrast between the bear’s immense power and the bee’s tiny yet fearless presence creates a dramatic and almost comical standoff. Will the bear risk a painful sting for the sweet reward of honey, or will the tiny defender prove victorious? This captivating photo is a perfect reminder that in nature, even the smallest creatures can challenge the mightiest opponents.
📸 🏆GRAND PRIZE WINNER PEOPLE'S CHOICE CATEGORY-
RAINY HARVEST-
Our Grand Prize winner in the People's Choice category, "Rainy Harvest," is a whimsical and unforgettable image that stole the hearts of voters. In this magical shot, a determined honeybee braves the rain, delicately balancing a tiny umbrella while harvesting nectar and pollen from a vibrant fuchsia-colored flower. Droplets of rain glisten on the petals, adding to the enchanting atmosphere, while the bee’s determined stance makes it seem as though nothing—not even a downpour—can stop its important work.
Can you bee-lieve how great we did in this contest? Neither can we!!
As much as we’d love to say these award-winning photos are real, we have to come clean… April Fools! 🐝📸😆
That’s right—none of these incredible shots actually exist (except the one with the photographer- that's a pic Stacie took of our son from 2011!)! Every single bee photo was AI-generated as part of our little April Fools’ prank. It’s a fun reminder not to believe everything you see on the internet, especially in today’s world where AI can create some pretty convincing images and stories.
That said, while we haven’t captured a grizzly-bear-versus-honeybee showdown (yet), we do love photographing our real, hardworking bees. They may not win any fictional or real photography awards, but they’re certainly worthy of admiration!
We hope you enjoyed this lighthearted joke and had a good laugh with us. Stay tuned for more REAL bee stories, honey updates, and maybe even some actual award-winning photography in the future!
Did we fool you? Let us know in the comments how far you got before you realized we were pulling your wing. Happy April Fools’ Day from all of us at Fingerlakes Honey Company! 🐝✨
Until Next Time- Stay Sweet!
Tom and Stacie
Tom and Stacie, are co-owners of Fingerlakes Honey Company located in the bee-utiful Fingerlakes region of New York State. When they are not tending to all things bees, they enjoy spending time with their grown children, their dog, and lots of chickens on their homestead. They love learning more about the bees they foster and helping others to learn more about them as well.
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