….I’m loving my macro lens

I’m still learning how to use my macro lens and right now I feel like I’m not really in control. It’s very hit or miss when I’m trying to capture the perfect shot. I’m not sure what I’ve done right when I get the shot or what I’m doing wrong when I don’t. Here are a few attempts at trying to capture bees at work.

The bottom photo is obviously not a bee but when my lens got close enough to get a clear shot these orange and black milkweed bugs would quickly move to the back of the milkweed pod that they were sitting on.

Can anyone give me suggestions for getting better close-up shots. When I adjust the lens it doesn’t appear to change what I’m seeing through the lens.