This post should appeal to Laura. She loves her Vespa.
Before I get round to them here is a quick view from our walk yesterday evening.
Redcar Beach. We had a grand if arduous wander along the sands. The tide was in so it was hard work walking on the soft sand. There were thousands of Sandhoppers but the funny thing about them is if you pick them up they don’t hop. They always remind me of the flee circus. Brilliant things.
This isn’t a Vespa either. I think it is a male Horsefly. Whatever it is I like his face, he’s dining on Ivy flowers.
This is half a Michaelmas Daisy resplendent with a dusting of tiny dew drops.
The first of many Vespa. This one is Vespulas vulgaris. The image could be sharper but it does show the anchor like face marking which differentiates it from the German wasp which has three black dots on it’s nose.
These are mostly different wasps but I’m almost sure that they are all Common Wasps feeding on Ivy flowers. I shot these with the 1Ds and by gum it is a heavy camera with a lens and the ring flash on it. None of the images are cropped for magnification so if you would like them larger you will have to click them and use Ctrl+ to zoom in. No insects were damaged and neither I nor the dogs were stung so a happy morning.
Tomorrow we are going for a walk somewhere and then stopping for Sunday lunch. Monday I’m driving down to York for a week where I am assured that there are lots of Newts to look at. I’ll have to take the extension tubes off for newts as they are much bigger than insects. I could leave them on and pretend I was brave and had crept close to a Salamander.
Have fun.
The wasps are brilliant you're braver then me getting close up with them. As a fan of the two wheeled version of vespas I do feel let down :-(
ReplyDeleteDouglas, I hate riding scooters but can see their attraction. No I can't.
DeleteGet a proper bike. The new ones cost more than a good used Fireblade but a lot less than a Harley which drives like a scooter but with a very noisy heavy underpowered engine.
It's not bravery, if you wear dark clothes and don't use perfume then as long as they are feeding they won't bother you. I am surprised the drones are out so late but it has been a funny summer. Far too much good weather. They are an inch from the front element and don't mind the strobe. I stay still as if you move fast they can get a bit funny.
PS. The dogs lie down with me and keep still. They know that Vespas' can be funny fuckers.
DeleteWOW! Well that is CLOSE! Fantastic shots. Hope you are having a great weekend,
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, it's going well so far.
DeleteYou make the wasps look rather pretty. But nothing will endear horseflies to me. Many a ride has been ruined by them.
ReplyDeleteFrances, it's the female Horseflies that bite. The males eat pollen. they are vicious things when they bite.
DeletePS. Just in from Sunday lunch and a good walk. If you want to stop horseflies then buy a zebra or paint stripes on your horse. It tells you all about it in the letters page of the 23rd August edition of New Scientist. I'm surprised it wasn't in Horse and Hound.
DeleteHow did the first photo look in colour Adrian? Was it less dramatic perhaps? Love the little wispy clouds.
ReplyDeleteCarol, it looked brighter but a bit boring.
DeleteOh my, such wonders of the macro, I love it.
ReplyDeleteSo do I Bob.
DeleteYou really zeroed in on these wasps. They may be a little sluggish at this time of yer when it's cooler. Enjoy your drive.
ReplyDeleteRed, yes they are easier. York isn't far, about an hours run.
DeleteGorgeous photography, Adrian! I love that furry wasp covered with polen..and the purple flower is amazing with the dew drops! So glad I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures and welcome.
DeleteI thought you were going to reveal a hidden side of yourself as a vespa (the bike) lover. I think I like your vespas better. But not as much as I like the daisy.
ReplyDeletePauline, wasps usually get a bit silly at this time of year but these seemed content.
DeleteI like the daisy with the micro dew drops. I may get it printed. The only problem is that the strobe bulbs are reflected in the drops but with a bit of luck no-one will notice.
Wasps and hornets are two of the few creatures I really detest and of which I am scared. However when there is a camera between it and me then I lose that fear. How irrational is that?
ReplyDeleteGraham, these were very relaxed wasps. I don't mess with them if they are in a nasty mood. Dark clothing and a day without a shower also seem to help.
DeleteA couple of years ago I found a Horntail on the ground and wouldn't go near it. A little boy wandered past bent down and picked it up to show his dad, He told me that they don't sting. There is nothing wrong with a bit of fear and respect.
Thanks for teaching me about Control +! By the way when you said that Laura likes Vespas I was expecting pictures of Italian motor scooters!
ReplyDeleteThe Vespa was named after the Italian for wasp. Laura rides a Vespa all over Spain.
DeleteCtrl+, Ctrl- and Ctrl 0 give bigger, smaller and full screen. I don't use the lightbox. it became compulsory at one time but a couple of lines of HTML script sort it. I think I saw in the Dashboard that there is a check box for it again. In most editing software CtrlZ undoes the last operation and Ctrl Alt Z. will keep undoing. There are hundreds if not thoudnds of keyboard short cuts. They save a vast amount of time.
Great macros. Love the detail of the pollen.
ReplyDeleteR.Mac, It is macro time of year. They get covered in pollen. The Ivy flowers seem good this year.
DeleteAdrian, you're blowing me away with the beauty of these macros. Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteHilary, I'm thinking a monopod may help but I like the freedom to move about. I'll try it this week sometime,
DeleteNice. The daisy with the dew drops is amazing.
ReplyDeleteLady L, I am still undecided but may re-crop it a bit and see what it is like printed.
DeleteI was fascinated to see that anchor shape on the wasp's forehead. Your macros are simply wonderful ~ the dew dropped flower was picture perfect. Just amazing to see such details!
ReplyDeleteGlo, much of it is down to the equipment. It has taken me over a year to get things sorted.
DeleteMenudos "monstruos" amigo!!! .Precioso el B/N de la primera.
ReplyDeleteBuen martes.
Un abrazo.
Laura, no lo entiendo. Son hermosas y pequeñas avispas.
DeleteBrilliant macros.. love the daisy shot!!
ReplyDeleteRuby, thank you, I think the daisy will meake a Christmas present or two.
DeleteDamn Adrian! These pictures are gorgeous!!!!! My favorite is the purple flower with the dew drops. Mother of pearls, this set of critter photos turned out well.
ReplyDeleteChris, thanks. It was a good day. I haven't been getting many pictures this week.
DeleteThe flower is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMaria, it is going for print this week with a bit of a crop.
DeleteQuality macro images, special mention for images 3 and 6. I can't ever remember stopping at Redcar, passed through it a few times north bound many years ago. Is it any good for the camera ?
ReplyDeleteJay, yes I think it could be. I usually go there in company so sitting waiting for light isn't possible. It usually feels freezing.
DeleteSaltburn is good and only a long walk or short drive away.