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

Monday, 5 June 2017

INSECT TIME.

Insects have been a week or two late this year. I blame all these elections. I only post now when I see a new one for me and after three days messing have this beauty.


It’s a Giant Ichneumon Wasp or Sabre Wasp. Rhyssa persuasoria. I have seen them before but these are the first snaps I have managed. They are a little shy and SIT- STAY they don’t understand. I’m not surprised neither do my dogs.
I know it is a trivial posting pictures of wasps when the country is fighting the religion of peace but hey hum none of my family died so a tea light will do.
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28 comments:

  1. Marie Smith5 June 2017 at 18:41

    Great photos of an interesting creature. The way the world is going, Adrian, it is good to have a distraction.

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  2. Margaret Birding For Pleasure5 June 2017 at 18:56

    Marellous images Adrian

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  3. Bas.5 June 2017 at 18:59

    Geweldig mooi Adriaan dit is genieten.

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  4. Bob Bushell5 June 2017 at 19:22

    Great Wasp images Adrian.

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  5. Bob Bushell5 June 2017 at 19:22

    Great Wasp images Adrian.

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  6. rhymeswithplague5 June 2017 at 22:55

    Thank you! I'd much rather see pictures of a Giant Whatever Wasp than one more story about Kathy Griffin.

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  7. holdingmoments6 June 2017 at 06:38

    That's a bit of a stunner.

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  8. The Herald6 June 2017 at 11:23

    Great find Adrian, a cracking wee beastie!
    I've become totally hooked on insects, it's a fascinating subject, I'm learning something new nearly every day. I'm also getting into spiders as well now!

    It's good to have you back in blogland, I've missed seeing your images and reading about your unique take on the world!...[;o)

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN7 June 2017 at 05:57

      Trevor, I'll make a big effort. I split my time between machines and insects.

      Delete
  9. Frances Garrood6 June 2017 at 13:41

    Great to have you and your beautiful photos back again, Adrian!

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN7 June 2017 at 05:56

      Thanks Frances. I'll try and post more often.

      Delete
  10. Richard Pegler6 June 2017 at 15:16

    It's good to have you back again, Adrian. We've missed you.

    That Ichneumon is wonderful. I saw something almost identical apart from the white markings, and the local insect gurus couldn't tell me what it was. It was a very large female, with an ovipositor probably 50% longer than the body of the thing. If you can offer any clues as to what it might have been, I'd be interested to know. Like yours, it was a bugger to photograph as it only ever stopped moving for a second or two, and was off as soon as approached.

    Good to see you mention the dogs - how are they both?

    Tske good care, and please put up another post inside the next 8 months!

    Best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Richard Pegler6 June 2017 at 15:18

      Meant to say - I'm in Scotland next week, giving a talk entitled 'I'm a Bit Of A Bug-er' on Monday!

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    2. ADRIAN7 June 2017 at 05:55

      Richard they are little devils to snap. These are laying eggs in a fallen Spruce and getting a clear shot is next to impossible.
      Try looking here for your Ichneumon.

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    3. Richard Pegler7 June 2017 at 17:35

      Thanks for the suggestion, Adrian. That was my first port of call. Mine seems identical to Pimpla rufipes apart from the devilishly long ovipositor. These guys couldn't place mine, however!

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    4. ADRIAN8 June 2017 at 06:49

      Richard, there are some pictures of Sabre Wasps that have black bodies. They all seem to have white bits on their heads, Only the females will have the ovipositor. I'll go out this morning and try for a male.

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  11. Midmarsh John9 June 2017 at 17:50

    Great photos Adrian, and lovely to see you back in blogger land.

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  12. Graham Edwards11 June 2017 at 08:53

    Good to see you're back. (and your front for that matter). I managed some ichneumon wasp photos in New Zealand but I'm not sure that I've managed to photograph them here. They certainly wouldn't be up to that standard anyway.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN11 June 2017 at 12:39

      Graham, I am now comfortable with the MP-E 65mm lens as I have changed the viewing screen in the camera to a proper prismatic one. Anyone brought up on medium format will think the cost of one (about £30.00p) and the ten trepidacious minutes spent installing it well worth the time and money. I need to get out with the 100mm macro to fit the whole wasp in. I have also given the lens covers on the ring flash a smear of dirty vaseline. That has helped with blow out, much more effective than spit and cigarette papers.

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  13. Out and About Northern Ireland18 June 2017 at 11:10

    Great to have you back "on air" Adrian - I have kept checking your site on a regular basis an am glad that you are now posting again - fantastic photographs as always - keep up the good work!

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