Well you can tell when summer is around the corner: the insects and bugs start to appear in force, and I spend much of my time crawling around on the ground with a macro lens. I've started an album over on my main web site, creatively entitled Insects and Bugs. Here's a small sample:
Harlequin Ladybird
The harlequin is an invader species, larger and more voracious than our native ladybirds.
Camera note: all shots (except the butterfly) taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro + Kenko Teleplus 1.4x Pro 300 DG teleconverter. The speckled wood butterfly was taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS + an extension tube.
Vulpes vulpes
5 May 2008Stunning shots – love the Ladybird!
chthoniid
5 May 2008Very nice work- I'm a little envious you've got better chances of macro shots as my opportunities are diminishing.
How does the tele-converter work out in terms of IQ?
Words
5 May 2008Vulpes, thanks!
Words
5 May 2008Brendan, the tele-converter seems to work really well with the macro lens. I've been dubious about it with my 100-400. It can really help and I've got some good shots that way (like this pheasant), but the hit rate has been too low for comfort so unless it's a very bright I don't even try. WIth the macro lens I usually add flash anyway so there's no problem getting sufficient light on the subject. This toad was taken with macro+TC combination and is as good as anything I've taken.
SittingFox
5 May 2008The spider is my favourite. Great job all round! 🙂
quaconyenyen
5 May 2008So nice! :love: :up:
I love the photo of ladybug: contrast color of flowers-background (yellow) sets off the ladybug (red-black).
chthoniid
7 May 2008The Harlequin Ladybird is a very nice shot- how good of it to pose for you. It's a shame to learn that it is an invasive.
We have a native ladybug(bird) that is actually black with orange spots- alas I didn't have the macro lens when I spotted it.
I'm looking forward to seeing what else Spring/Summer brings out in your albums.
Words
7 May 2008Thanks Quaconyenyen!
Words
7 May 2008Thanks Adele. I liked the way the spider is resting with one leg is hooked over the leaf for balance.
Words
7 May 2008Brendan, we have quite a wide variety of natives. The harlequins are much larger and current status is one of monitoring their extent. I tend to see a small number in the garden, but they are still much less common where I am than our traditional ladybirds.
zetorres
7 May 2008Fantastic photos! :up:
Words
7 May 2008Thanks ZT!
Words
13 May 2008Thanks Mark!
Flying Red Fox Blog
13 May 2008Very nice shots there D