This morning we visited Loch Leven. I wanted to see the Midges again so cleaned up the MP-E 65mm lens. Popped new Batteries in the ring strobe. I gave lens and flash contacts a gentle wipe with kitchen roll whetted with brake cleaner and off we went midgeing in unpromising weather. It was cold to verging on arctic. I was surprised to find Midges in abundance in areas sheltered from the freezing wind.
This lens takes practise, a steady hand and clean living to achieve focus. The strobe looks after tremors, delirium or other, it can't tell the difference. I called at the CO-OP for a Scotch Pie and the new lassy doing Scotch pies was stunning. I blame her for the pretty average results from both camera and lens. Clean living was the last thing on my mind, carnal thoughts I had. Not an auspicious start to a snapping session.
I took twelve shots and binned over half.
This is a Dead Nettle flower from below. I started with this and clicked just once. It looked good so I went looking on Willow leaves for flies.
Someone will know what these are but I don't. Google is more interested in today's climate change than identifying flies with a 2-3mm wingspan. I miss not snapping such things. I have cropped these but they will enlarge with a click and can be pumped to pixelisation with Ctrl+.
I have been constructing the escapement wheel for the virtual clock. This one refuses to function.
Don't know why. I guess it need a more aggressive angle on the teeth. Not to worry all this keeps me from fantasising about wee Scotch Pie selling totty.
This lens takes practise, a steady hand and clean living to achieve focus. The strobe looks after tremors, delirium or other, it can't tell the difference. I called at the CO-OP for a Scotch Pie and the new lassy doing Scotch pies was stunning. I blame her for the pretty average results from both camera and lens. Clean living was the last thing on my mind, carnal thoughts I had. Not an auspicious start to a snapping session.
I took twelve shots and binned over half.
I have been constructing the escapement wheel for the virtual clock. This one refuses to function.
Looks as though the middle fly could be the non biting midge Chironomus plumosus https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/chironomus-plumosus
ReplyDeleteJohn, I agree with you on the ID. Still can't find the green one. I do enjoy this lens and the strobe.
DeleteAdrian: Have a look at https://hiveminer.com/Tags/green%2Cmidge/Recent
DeleteTwo possibilities - scroll through to the first green midge (on a fern) and click on the photo. Then try the third green midge photo (on a horizontal cedar branch) which gives a possible name - Axarus.
Thanks John. I think it is Axarus female as it doesn't have feathery antenna.
DeleteThe only things that I can ID with any certainty here, Adrian, are some excellent macro images - of what, I have no idea! However, I'm worried that the first one may have been inspired by your pie vendor!
ReplyDeleteRichard, I usually try for something white just to check the strobe isn't blowing highlights. The dead nettle must have been my subconscious at work.
DeleteLike usual, your macros are perfect. Regarding 'the fly'. I found that the order is called NEUROPTERA .or net-winged insects, includes the lacewings, mantidflies, antlions, and their relatives. The order consists of some 6,000 species ! Ha!
ReplyDeleteDaliana, yes they do take a lot of sorting out.
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