Both Shirleen and I have Canon 100-400mm L IS lenses, they are our primary telephoto and Wildlife lenses. I have found that these lenses are a great way to shoot close-ups of what most people consider macro subjects(bees and flowers).  The results are not true macro shots, but you get a very nice close up of the subject and usually some of their habitat too.

Suggested settings:

1. Use a tripod or monopod. The built-in image stabilization on these lenses works well to keep the picture steady. However, I find that my arms tire fairly quickly waiting for that perfect shot
2. Make sure that the focal length slide on the side of the lens is set to the shorter 1.8 side.. this helps the lens find focus faster at shorter ranges.
3. Set up about six to eight feet from the blooms that you are going to photograph. With the lens at full extension (400mm). Try to focus on the nearest flower. if you successfully get focus move closer and retest until you get as close as you can and still focus.
4.  Shoot on a sunny day with the subject slightly backlit.  Honey Bees abdomen will give you a nice golden glow with this type of lighting.
5. My last attempt with this type of photography I use a TV setting (time value 1/1000 – 1/2000) trying, but not succeeding,  to stop the wings in mid-flight.  I have also used AV ( aperture value of F8) to produce some very nice still shots.

If you try this method we would be interested in your experiences.  Good Luck!

For more photography of this type see our flowers and little things gallery