A lovely sunny day here in Wales. There are no trains running on a Friday so I went macroing. An Unmitigated disaster it was. The new split focus screen works well with the 100mm macro lens but not so well with the MP-E 65mm. It works well in the van but is the very devil outside. Perhaps it’s just the way I am today.
I sat about for ages getting bitten by midges and waiting for a Dragonfly to settle. It didn’t but it did return several times. Whilst waiting I was popping Indian balsam seed pods. The other day Keith and I were engaged in a similar activity. We couldn’t decide whether they give one an electric shock when they pop. After today I’m still not sure but it does feel as if they do.
Have a great weekend. I’m devoting myself to steam trains tomorrow and then moving down to Porthmadog on Sunday.
Playing catch up Adrian... practice makes perfect. I saw the WHR engines at Portmadog a couple of summers ago... the noise and smell of steam is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to practise much more. I'm going to Porthmadog on Sunday.
DeleteThe shine on the shocker around the center is impressive.
ReplyDeleteI've still no love for spiders but found the web interesting. I wonder how they decide where to connect the webbing? How long the individual strands can be? That thought occurred to me while looking at the first picture.
The Hoverfly is beautiful. Maybe out of focus is good sometimes.
David, I sit and watch them for ages. They seem to be able to produce about two feet of silk then they rely on wind to find an anchor point. After that they get very clever.
DeleteYou're going to port-ma-dogs to Porthmadog Adrian? Haha ~ I know I am easily amused :)
ReplyDeleteCarol, it is a difficult country to travel in. I only go to places I can pronounce, It can be a bit limiting.
DeleteLike them Adrian, especially the Garden spider with the water droplets, are the white strands web or dogs hair?
ReplyDeleteDouglas, I will have to keep on trying. I'm using ETTL flash but it opens the aperture right up. I'e still not got the plot.
DeleteWeb it is.....I think!
Things that don't sit down and pose are pain in the but. Some people have high speeds and I guess if you keep your finger on the button you get many photos and something might be good, I like macro because yo get to see the beauty of some small critters.
ReplyDeleteRed, Point and blitz the job works with sports and bird photography but not with macro or micro. The flash has to recharge. I'll get the job sorted.
DeleteI've popped many an Indian balsam pod and can't say I ever thought it felt shocking. Just cool... like bubble wrap in reverse. ;)
ReplyDeleteHilary, these pop much better than bubble wrap. I'm sorry we have nothing better to do. They fire the seeds a good distance don't they?
ReplyDeleteAn apology.....................................
ReplyDeleteI suspect I'm a Muppet. I usually use full manual settings with the MP-E 65mm. Yesterday the camera was in shutter priority. Little wonder the DOF is so shallow. I usually use 1/250s and f16 at 1x to 2x magnification. Above that f11.
I'm sorry for inflicting crap upon you
I was wondering why you had no depth of field at all: almost as little as my microscope.
ReplyDeleteEarwigs are of almost plague numbers here this year they seem to be climbing everywhere. Assuming this one wasn't into tightrope walking it probably just dehydrated in your hot southern sun and blew into the web. Just a fanciful thought.
Graham, I woke today and checked the camera. That is something I should have done yesterday. I set everything back as it should be and this mornings pictures are normal.
DeleteI am daft.
La mosca está perfecta:))
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Laura, la mosca no es perfecto, pero es hermoso.
DeleteEarwigs do fly Adrian.
ReplyDeleteTa Keith, I know they have wings but have never seen one fly. They are mostly nocturnal though so that could explain why.
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