Taking photos of bees and butterflies is always interesting. I recommend using a fast, quality macro lens or, if a macro isn’t available, use a good telephoto lens.

I generally use a Nikon 85 mm f/3.5 VR prime lens mounted on a Nikon D7000.

Anywhere colorful wildflowers are in bloom, bees and butterflies will be close by. You can count on this being true from sea level to alpine settings.

Here a few of my favorite insect and flower photos from 2014.