I spied this large insect at Yala game reserve on the beach where 47 tourists and locals were swept away by the devastating 2004 tsunami.  I was standing on the beach trying to imagine how such a peaceful place could in a matter of minutes turn into a scene of devastation, when I noticed a large insect hovering around some unusual lilac coloured flowers.  I followed it through the sandhills for some time. The glare of sunlight made it almost impossible to see what I was photographing, so I was thrilled to discover later that I had managed to capture this Carpenter bee.

It was the size of a small mouse, or perhaps a large gobstopper. Now I’m suffering from bee envy!