This isn’t a political post it is all about a wasp.
Scotland is now yellow and black like the wasp.
England and Wales are blue, a bit like me, without a credible or competent opposition then it was always on the cards.
Today started off fine but cold, it then got colder and rained but eventually the sun came out and I got some pictures I am happy with.
Common Wasp: Vespa vulgaris. It sat and posed like this for a few minutes as it was cold and a bit damp. I tried to go from 3X to 4X but the blossom got in the way and it moved. This is my best effort yet. Very steady hands and clean living is what I put this shot down to. Scepticism of Gods, Dithery and royalty helps. These are my best effort yet and on a day when I expected to get a big round zero.
There isn’t much holding a wasp together head to thorax is middling thick but thorax to abdomen is really next to nothing.
As you are aware I find these stunningly beautiful. They are not Uma Thurman but the nearest I’m likely to find to her.
This is not as good as the first, it’s the same pose but two clicks apart. What a good wasp. For those that have ring flash I have found by having the strobe tubes top and bottom and not side to side the catch light problem is minimized; there is no duration bias on these shots as ambient light levels were high. I am using the lens shut right down and had it been on a flower and not an apple tree could have set up and stacked a dozen images. Last time I shot wasps was autumn on ivy and by gum they were vicious stinging wee devils.
Have a great weekend. All images will enlarge with a click.
Those wasp pictures are just amazing, Adrian. And now I know why wasps break in half as easily.
ReplyDeleteFrances it was a really good wasp. It let me move it with my finger.
DeleteLovely wasps, all sorts.
ReplyDeleteBob, it is a very smart wasp.
DeleteThe first image is my favourite, fantastic detail. But not be familiar with wasps (too busy running from them) the second image fascinates me. I never realised how vulnerable/delicate the head and body is.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, I am tempted to print the first as it is only cropped square not pulled in so would look pretty good as a glossy at a couple of feet square. It's a marker for me. Wasps won't sting at this time of year. It's only in autumn when they get kicked out of their nest they get nasty.
Deletemore of Mother's cool creatures...though they have a bit of an attitude...eh
ReplyDeleteR>Mac, they are fine at this time of year.
DeleteYou have some of the best images here Adrian. I like that yellow shot of Scotland:) I'm not sure what went all down last night, but I read it. Never good with politics. Have the Scotts taken over the UK? If they do, will they take over the world? Will the UK succeed from Europe? Will the UK succeed from itself? I don't know what any of it means...even after I read the article:) But I do like your Wasp photos:)
ReplyDeleteChris, I am sticking with the wasps. The rest isn't that important.
DeleteYou're right. It's not:) As long as they don't mess with the environmental stuff. I stopped watching the news on TV. I haven't a clue what's going on in the world and it's rather nice to be free from all the clutter:)
DeleteVery spectacular wasps and usual great macros!
ReplyDeleteKovacs, thank you it was a very slow wasp.
DeleteThe first two photos are rather clever. So some bees posed nicely to let you get some awesome shots. That should chase away all election blues.
ReplyDeleteRed, they are kaleidoscopes. Plenty of software for doing them but I just use Photoshop. Takes a bit longer but still only ten minutes.
DeleteI am pleased with the wasp.
Kaleidoscopes huh in Photoshop? Very interesting. You could start a whole other website with your anatomical macros of insects.
ReplyDeleteCarol, macro isn't popular but I don't know why as it's challenging and many of the creatures are stunning.
DeleteKaleidoscopes are just a bit silly.
Hi Adrian. I've realised that I've been missing out on your wonderful photography lately, and have now put this right by adding a link to your blog on mine.
ReplyDeleteThe macro work is amazing, and your inventiveness and technical skill is inspiring. Thank you, and best regards - - - - Richard
Richard, thanks I'll try not to waste your time.
DeleteThe macro is slowly improving. I enjoy playing in Blender and Photoshop but it is only fun.
I have always been unterrified of wasps and hornets except when I have a camera and am photographing them. I find that quite inexplicable. Bees on the other hand I love and have no fear of (and was in the beekeeping society at school where we had many hives). Wasp stings are nothing compared with a bumble bee sting (I've never been stung by a 'domestic' bee so can't compare it) so why am I afraid of wasps but not of bees? Life is full of questions.
ReplyDeletePS Absolutely wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good twenty minutes. It's strange that bumblebee stings don't affect me at all and wasp and hornet stings aren't too bad. I must be lucky.
DeleteThe stupid thing is that wasp stings hardly affect me either Adrian. Which makes my fear of them all the more irrational. I'm not allergic to bumble bee stings either but boy do they hurt. And yet when bumble bee stings me and dies I mourn but I will readily kill a wasp. Life is very strange.
DeleteMale bumblebees can't sting and queens can sting repeatedly as I know. Honey bee workers have barbed stings and they die.
DeleteAnother thing about the bumblebees is that the workers are female! I didn't know that the sting of a bumblebee wasn't barbed like that of a honeybee. I lives and I learns!
DeleteI should have added, too, that all females can sting! (including bumblebee workers!).
DeleteI only know they can sting repeatedly because I had one stuck up my jumper sleeve. It wasn't happy.
DeleteNot one of my favourite insects but great macro shots.
ReplyDeleteJohn, they are a pest in autumn but seem fine at this time of the year.
DeleteHalaaaa que exageración...Parecen monstruos.:))
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Laura, es una Vespa diferente.
Delete