AI-assisted practical guide. Examples are hypothetical; proposed workflows are editorial suggestions.
The best photograph for a bee-identification question is not necessarily the prettiest. Choose images that preserve visible detail and context without implying information the camera did not capture.
Select originals first
Keep the original files and note which observation they belong to. A close view may help show visible features, while a wider frame can show the plant or nesting context. Use actual scene context for scale when available; do not add a guessed measurement.
Avoid aggressive edits that make uncertain detail look definite. An AI-generated reconstruction is an illustration, not additional identification evidence.
Build a hypothetical submission
Imagine you have a sharp side view and a blurry overhead view. Send the useful original and explain the limitation of the second image if you include it. Do not claim the pair establishes a feature that neither clearly shows.
Add date, approximate location, and a brief description of behavior. If you do not know the plant, include a separate plant photograph instead of choosing a familiar name.
Keep the reply connected
Save the expert's answer with the observation ID, including uncertainty and any request for another angle. If you later publish the image, use the confidence level actually provided. A question can remain unanswered. The purpose of selecting evidence is to improve the chance of a justified answer, not to force a species label onto every photograph.