California photographer documents hundreds of native bees across the state.

Krystle Hickman has photographed more than 300 native bee species and published a book on California's native bees supported in part by National Geographic; she documents living bees to record species and behaviour amid habitat loss and climate threats.

Krystle Hickman spends long days in California deserts and wildflower fields photographing native bees to document species and behaviour. She has photographed more than 300 native bee types and for about 20 of them she is the first person known to have photographed them alive. Hickman published a book in October documenting California's native bees with partial support from National Geographic and has worked with the University of California, Irvine on research. She avoids capturing bees and focuses on photographing living insects out of concern for threatened species. Key facts: - Hickman has photographed over 300 native bee species and says about 20 of those were first-ever live photos for those species. - She published a book in October with support from National Geographic and has conducted research supported by the University of California, Irvine; she hopes to publish research notes this year. - Hickman spends long hours observing bees, reporting behaviors such as desert bees emerging near 10 a.m. and typical foraging cycles of about 20 minutes followed by time in burrows. - She opposes traditional collecting methods for some species and believes she has photographed at least four species not yet formally described; she sometimes withholds exact locations to protect populations. - Since 2021 she has travelled annually to the Oregon–California border searching for the critically endangered Franklin's bumblebee (Bombus franklini), last seen in 2006. Summary: Hickman's photography and field observations are contributing photographs and behavioural notes that supplement academic work and museum community science programs. Her images have supported collaborations with researchers and institutions, and she plans further publication of research notes this year. She continues active field searches for species not recently documented, including Franklin's bumblebee.