I must be very slow. I have been taking macro for years and using the MP-E 65mm lens for half that time and only this morning thought to increase the ISO so as to get a background to show. I have used an extra flash unit to achieve the same effect but it makes the whole caboodle too cumbersome.
I got far too many pictures this morning but though I’m pleased with them I missed the two snaps I really wanted. The first was a Longhorned Beetle on Hogweed it fell into the undergrowth never to be seen again and the second was a Lacewing on Hawthorn which flew away. I’ll be keeping my eye out for them.
I’ll start with a study of a couple of Ringlet Butterflies that were still fast asleep when I spotted them.
I mislaid the second one and was just about to use some special words when I looked at the hand supporting the camera and there it was.
Ringlet Butterfly, Amphautopus hyperautus.
The next little beast is the micro moth Orange Spot Piercer Pammene aurana. I took a snap yesterday but managed some better ones today, they don’t always have orange spots as I suspect the spots fade to white as they get older.
This is one of the appeals of macro photography; it doesn’t seem to matter how much better the shots get there is always so much room for improvement.
The next few flies are ones I can’t identify I think they are all the same species. The first I found sheltering for the night under a Hogweed umbrel. It does look very strange.
It looks like an ex-fly but it flew so was still lively enough. I think it landed next door on Sticky Willow or Goosegrass.
Since getting back to the van I’m not at all sure this is the same fly. They are so small that it’s impossible to be positive.
That’s all for today. I have some bigger, more colourful flies to post but they can wait a day.
Do butterflies always sleep with their eyes open? Just asking. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteFrances, all insects do as they don't have eyelids. I have seen them cleaning their eyes with their feet.
DeleteIn the 7th photo, the insect looks like something out of science fiction, a robot of some kind. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteMarie, I have another shot of it I'll see if it looks any better.
DeleteIs that a another new hat you've got Adrian...butterfly wakeruperer?
ReplyDeleteI think your first mystery fly could be a Snake Fly...check out Atlantoraphidia maculicollis
The other two are Dance Flies...Bicellaria vana...[;o)
Trevor, many thanks. I'll try and get some more photographs as there were several sleeping under the Hogweed umbrel. It looks an impressive beast stretched out.
DeleteI never thought of looking for dance flies. The hump is pretty distinctive.
Butterflies were fast asleep this morning, not for long when I got there.
Some great shots of the insects Adrian, see if you can get a shot of the Theresa May Fly.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter it will look like Kenneth Williams and make as much sense.
Deletei like no 8 best Adrian
Deleteit's reasonably crisp.
DeleteWow!! Amazing macro photography Adrian.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynda, Illike taking them, I just wish I knew more about insects.
DeleteThose first three potos are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteJohn, early morning tends to work best but the only problem is finding them.
DeleteModern cameras can withstand a pretty high ISO.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I am still in film mode and tend to regard 800 as about the limit. These are shot at twice that but i see problems in the out of focus background. It's not a problem but it does mean taking more time over sharpening.
DeleteThe fly that Trevor thinks is a Snake fly looks quite bizarre. The world of macro is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGraham, incomprehensible is how I see it. I walk a couple of miles most days and at this time of the year it takes about three hours.
DeleteReally like the level of detail on the butterfly
ReplyDeleteDouglas, this lens is a bit too macro for butterflies. It can get close if the subject is half asleep.
Delete