ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Sunday 3 May 2015

WET, WET, WET. (03/05/15)

What a vile morning and yesterday evening wasn’t much better. The hens usually go into their shed on their own as daylight fades but as it was raining last night one decided it wanted to stay up. I managed to catch it without too much difficulty but trying to open a hen house door with a wriggling, wet hen under ones arm is not easy. I accomplished the mission with a few choice words and several unsympathetic clucks from the hen. I’m glad he doesn’t keep emus.

I found a weevil in the barn this morning whilst looking for spiders. As usual it was far from cooperative. They don’t move as fast as spiders but they are always on the move._V0G8171     I have never noticed their feet before. they are fantastic. The stuff on his foot is Vicks as I spread some in a circle with a cotton bud to restrict it’s movement. It just plodded straight through it. That was a waste of time.

_V0G8173   Head on and one of my best yet as I have it’s eyes in focus. These were shot at 3X or 1:3. Tomorrow is looking good with temperatures threatening to hit double figures. It looks as if there will be a bit of wind but if I find a sheltered spot it could be an insect day. I noticed lots of this flowering yesterday.

_V0G8177

_V0G8178

_V0G8179    I hope it is Red Campion.

All images will enlarge with a click. Have a great week.

26 comments:

  1. Weevils ~ interesting little creatures in macro aren't they? What is their purpose in the bigger scheme of things I wonder?

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    1. Carol, they eat plant leaves and produce larvae which destroy plant roots and also eat kittens, puppy dogs and babies. Very naughty insects they are.

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  2. Sounds like there was more than a few clucks being exchanged between you and the hen Adrian?
    A couple of real up close and personal shots of the Weevil...I bet it was pleased that you were able to find a remedy for it's bunged up nose?

    Super shots of the flower...Pink Purslane (Claytonia sibirica) I think.... introduced from N. America!...[;o)

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    1. Trevor, there is usually one bad hen in a flock.
      I wish the insects would stay still for a moment. I have let the weevil go now but I think there are some pine weevils in the wood. They are a bit bigger. Looking at the size of the lava holes in the logs they are enormous.
      Thanks for the ID. I didn't even manage to get the colour correct this time.

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  3. Strange looking creatures. Always look as tough they are walking on their knuckles.
    Pretty flower.

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    1. John, they are a bit odd. It's blasted cold here so I'm surprised it was as lively as it was.

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  4. Love the flower. We are having glorious weather here lately.

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    1. John, I hope some of your weather drifts my way. I could do with a hot day.

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  5. The feet do look fascinating but also very fragile. I like the construction of the eye, great detail.

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    1. Douglas, clegs have great eyes but they bite. This is very hit and miss as it's manual focus not that this lens has autofocus. I just hope that if I keep trying I'll get better.

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  6. NZ was the place for lazy weevils. Actually the bug protector I sprayed The Cottage with slowed them down and made photography easy. Not environmentally friendly for the bugs but the huge Gisbourne Cockroaches (though not after human food) were too common to ignore.

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    1. Graham, I have had a suspicion for a while that insects I find are faster and more agile than foreign ones. I have stopped chilling them and don't like the idea of spray. I use it on house flies if they get a pest but will keep trying macro without.

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  7. I cannot dismiss my prejudice to the weevil; not only his bad looks, but his jaws and appetite. Your flower is grand and I hope your weather improves. If our drifts over the water, it will.

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    1. Joanne, it's the larvae that do most of the damage. The flower is prettier.

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  8. HI Adrian That second shots is fantastic and I love the .Pink Purslane (Claytonia that Trevor ID'ed

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    1. Margaret, it needs a crop and the flower is a beauty. Trevor knows you know.

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  9. Kafka's Metamorphosis was the first thing that came to mind when the first picture popped up on my screen...

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    1. Monica, you are on the right track. This is an ex female prime minister.

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  10. Hi Adrian,
    Really nice and very detailed macros. It was a very good idea to add scale to the image.

    ps
    Thanks for your comment on my blog. Your idea was correct about fungus :)

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    1. Kovacs, I have scales for all the magnifications I use. They are quick to make and if you have Photoshop and can't do them Just e-mail for instructions.
      You are welcome to the ID. It's a very impressive display.

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  11. Now that weevil has one ugly face. Maybe he/she was just mad at you. Now I wonder what that angry chicken would look like?

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    1. Red, I bet the weevil didn't think much of me. The chicken just clucked.

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  12. interesting creature...pretty flowers

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  13. Great one for the Weevil, not everyone would like them, it is beautiful.

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  14. Bob, I find them beautiful.

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