It’s a dull start to the day but it isn’t raining yet. I had a wonderful time bugging this morning, I spent ages watching and trying to get some pictures of a very attractive Carder Bee, It was a common carder bee but in pristine condition. I failed but caught this fly.
I think it is a Long Legged fly but I haven’t managed to identify it yet. I am now thinking it is a Two-spotted Centurian Soldier Fly; Sargus bipunctatus.
A Seven Spot Ladybird. Cocinella 7-punctata. I suppose it ought to be written VII-punctata.
The star of the morning was this beauty, it looks very ferocious but it is a gentle giant and only eats pollen and nectar.
A Longhorn Beetle. Rhagium bitasciatum, I hope, There are about sixty different ones to choose from. This one was very obliging and sat perfectly with a little smear of honey as a bribe or payment for posing so nicely.
That’s all for today as I'm going to try and sort the new look out, I have too many colours in the template. I got carried away yesterday, just because they are available doesn’t mean I should use them all. I would like the word “COMMENT” in red but it won’t have it. I’ll dive in and alter the code then it will.
I think it is a Long Legged fly but I haven’t managed to identify it yet. I am now thinking it is a Two-spotted Centurian Soldier Fly; Sargus bipunctatus.
A Seven Spot Ladybird. Cocinella 7-punctata. I suppose it ought to be written VII-punctata.
The star of the morning was this beauty, it looks very ferocious but it is a gentle giant and only eats pollen and nectar.
A Longhorn Beetle. Rhagium bitasciatum, I hope, There are about sixty different ones to choose from. This one was very obliging and sat perfectly with a little smear of honey as a bribe or payment for posing so nicely.
That’s all for today as I'm going to try and sort the new look out, I have too many colours in the template. I got carried away yesterday, just because they are available doesn’t mean I should use them all. I would like the word “COMMENT” in red but it won’t have it. I’ll dive in and alter the code then it will.
Super photos Adrian, great detail. I might have to hunt out my macro lenses and have a go at some closeup work. How do you keep them still long enough to take photos?
ReplyDeleteIan, Flies I tend to catch sunbathing or eating. Creepy crawlies I pop on a stone in a saucer of water, some can swim but not many. I then use flash to freeze motion. Focusing is just practise. I never use auto focus, I just follow them around until they look sharp then click. I use a prismatic screen in the Canon but they take some getting used to. All these are shot at f16, 200s, ETTL with the MP-E 65mm.at between 1:1 and 3:1. It is a little madam of a lens to get used to. Non of these are cropped but the two face on beetle shots are straightened. I took them a bit on the piss.
DeleteThanks Adrian. Useful information and tips there, much appreciated.
DeleteIan depending on your macro lens you will be using very small apertures to get maximum depth of field. At ISO 160 or whatever the native speed of your sensor is it doesn't really matter what exposure you use so ETTL isn't that beneficial. A cheap ring flash will do and about half power one side and an 1/8th the other should be a starting point.
DeleteBeautiful ladybug shots!
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, they are colourful but a bit boring they only have tiny eyes and they blend into their heads.
DeleteThe longhorn photos are quite dramatic and compelling.
ReplyDeleteJohn, it was good to find a big insect. Something to look at.
DeleteFabulous macro shots of these insects! I particularly like the ladybug.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I don't mind Ladybirds as we call them but appart from the colour unless they fly they are a bit boring.
DeleteI love the new look blog. Great! The photos are very clever, but I'll never be a fan of flies. They always look so predatory.
ReplyDeleteFrances, many of them are but the biggest predator is mankind. There's an oxymoron.
DeleteHI Adrian I love your header.wonderul suttle colouring. The close up of the insects are fabulous
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret.
DeleteThose last few shots make me very glad the subjects are tiny in real life. I like your new look, it's very you! Or what I know of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pauline, I needed a makeover. The insects do look fierce but the ladtbird that looks nice is the only one here that bites and a painful nip it can give.
DeleteYou have a winner with your lat shots. the bug cooperated but you still have to do the work to get what you see. I'm always amazed at the amount of hair some of the insects have.
ReplyDeleteRed, I never cease to be amazed how tolerant of the flash they are. It rarely bothers them.
DeleteThe Longhorn I'd my favourite by a country mile. Stunning detail and beauty of a mini beast. Glad to see my favourite green jewel is your latest header image
ReplyDeleteDouglas, It's both good and bad to find a large insect. They are easier to film but DOF is a bigger problem. I may have another go at the header as I like liked the old fade in one. I could fade in one beetle as well.
DeleteThe last one is pretty neat. Nice shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri.
DeleteI developed rather a fondness for Longhorn Beetles in NZ. They seemed the most cooperative bugs.
ReplyDeleteGraham they are and what's more they are open to bribery.
DeleteAaaggg...se van a salir de la pantalla... Nunca había visto una mariquita así!!!
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo..
Laura no tengas miedo solo come miel. Las mariquitas comen áfidos y son buenos en el jardín.
Delete