It is roasting here and has been for a couple of days. Yesterday there was barely a breath of wind so I sat about feeling hot. Today is much better but breezy so I went out looking for insects. I didn’t manage many in focus but some are just about acceptable. I also have to admit to an act of cowardice. I was sitting in the undergrowth when a Cleg landed on my wrist. I rarely see them till I’ve been bitten but would love a picture of one as they have incredibly beautiful eyes. I hadn’t the nerve to let it bite so swatted it, it’s on such occasions that an assistant would be indispensible.
I hope I have identified these correctly but it is a hit and miss job with me.
It was a good morning. I was joined by a German chap with an MP-E 65mm on a 7D. I was in a good mood, I usually object when photographers intrude on my patch of weeds when there are several acres of the stuff to sit in. He was chatty and wanted advice He got some good pictures from what I could see but he had only just bought the lens. He was trying to use a macro rail in a stiff breeze. I explained that I only use mine indoors and use the 100mm Canon macro with a 36mm extension tube outside. Once I showed him I was on manual focus and just rock the camera he tried it and put me to shame. Beginners luck, winning the world cup, winning the Grand Prix, just being alround smartarses, who knows, but I was happy for him……Twat.
That’s all for today
Great images sorry can't help you with the id. What's a Cleg ? I had a horse fly bite me once is it the same?
ReplyDeleteDouglas, there are several Horseflies. The Cleggis the big ginger haired bugger with iridescent eyes.
DeleteCleg bites you remember. Evil little devils and they can bite through two layers of clothing possibly ten. Worse than wasps in September they are. Great eyes though and nice fur.
Hateful beasties. For me, they are much worse than midge bites. I don't care whether they are the most beautiful insect ever, they need to be exterminated! My foot looked like a big, swollen blob and HURT. As usual,after a quick visit to my corner shop(aka Graham's house),the right medication was produced and it felt much better. So, Adrian my advise to you is - stay well away from them or tread on them, don't photograph them!
ReplyDeletePat, they are crafty little things. I got bitten three times in an hour last week. I was getting desperate. Savlon spray seems to work.
DeleteNice macros and you are a lot more accurate with your IDs than I am, I would be happy with damsel fly and hover fly. Hope your good weather continues.
ReplyDeleteGillian, it is looking good for days yet. I wish I could name all the things I see.
DeleteNice macros
ReplyDeleteThanks Bas.
DeleteAnother great post Adrian, The German will be out with his towel in the morning to get the best spot...............though brits abroad will take some beating at that too.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter, I've never seen this beach so full there must be twenty folk on it. Some of them even swim in the sea. Plenty of room here.
DeleteI enjoyed the tale as well............
ReplyDeleteTa Bill.
DeleteI hope your German chum didn't put his MP-E 65mm on a 7D where the sun don't shine. Graham would have heard you squealing in Eagleton! (...Brave three times in one day! Ha! Ha!)
ReplyDeleteYP, Graham can't hear anything his connection is broken.
DeleteImagine....over three grands worth of gear going up ones arse. I don't know how you dream them up.
DeleteYes, it is an Emerald Damselfly, I think. And what a Damselfly, pretty pretty.
ReplyDeleteBob, it's the first I've seen for a couple of years. I still can't find a similar Scaeva to the last one. Maybe it's a mutant.
DeleteSpot on with the ID's Adrian.
ReplyDeleteIt must be that you have the look of a proper photographer that makes all these people latch onto you?..... you'll have to start charging for your services!
It'll be interesting to see who's booked in for tomorrow?...[;o)
Trevor, I'm not sure about the last one. It is a Scaeva but although it has the bigger knobs on it's white stripes I am sure it shouldn't have a white frons.
DeleteI showed him all the plants I know, all three of them and that's thanks to you and Phil Gates.
Germans, I don't know. He couldn't tell a dead Kidney vetch from an Orchid. He did find a plant which is a rum bit of flora. It grows a bit cactus like and then has tiny blue flowers, really tiny, half the size of Eyebright. There are one or two about, he trod on the one we were looking at, I'll post a snap of it or better still another one that isn't flat.
Tomorrow is check strobes day and polish gear up. It's a big day here on Friday. It is The Mackay Gathering or the sports as they call it. Dancing girls, humongous men doing unmentionable things with their poles (should have saved that one for the post) and throwing their balls as far as they can. It's a great day, I'll take lots of gear and try for some video as well. Last year Alf slipped his collar and chased the shot. Daft dog.
Adrian, the Scaeva looks right, there's only four of this species that have been recorded in the UK and S.pyrastri is the most common. On S.selenitica the markings on the abdomen are a pale yellow...it has been found all over the UK but is mostly restricted to Dorset and Hampshire.
ReplyDeleteThe other two are very rare migrants with only a few records noted.
That's how my book puts it anyway!
Have fun at the games...what events have you entered for?...[;o)
Trevor, thanks was sure what I was seeing when I saw it but it looked odd with a white head.
DeleteNone.
I am the fat fotographer but I'll get some snaps of the lasses dancing. I think they compete in three different ones but they are much the same. They jump up and down in time to music and flap their feet about. Well worth a look. They come from miles about to dance. The winner last year was a sour faced puss from Wick.
Hehe:) Germans! What can we do with them? They fall off motorcycle bikes and intrude on spaces, and once and awhile need to take more than once shower a week:) but I still love them. Great pics of your bugs. I trust your rating of accuracy because I'm sure mine would be much lower. Hitting bugs? Yeah....I do it all the time:)
ReplyDeleteChris, they are fine are Germans. Not smelly at all.
DeleteI think I got four correct today. Trevor knows these things.
The Cleg does do serious damage when it bites. It is pretty but does cause pain out of all proportion to it's size.
A generic "winged insect" works for me. Lovely shots, they all are.
ReplyDeleteHilary, I just love the delicate beauty of the little beasts.
DeleteI want at least one credit for learning about these insects. You really do have a lot of detail. This is one of the first
ReplyDeleteYou have it Red.
DeleteGreat finds and images. You are very adapt with a macro lens.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, for the number I take I should be better. I am having trouble with the wind blowing things about here. It's a pain keeping them in focus.
DeleteStunning and beautiful, great light also. But the bevel might be interfering.
ReplyDeleteMaria, the bevel seemed a good idea at the time. It is a bit crap and definitely chavy. I need an editor and an identifier. I have lots of pictures of the black and white hoverfly. I think you call them flower flies. This one is unique to me but could be a mutant. It is pyrasti but for her white head or frons.
ReplyDelete