Terrible weather today. By late afternoon we were shrouded in mist, so very few opportunities for bird or mammal watching (although a fox did flit through the garden this morning). Instead I hunted out the smaller creatures. Whether they can be classed as beauties or beasts is (I guess) a matter of taste. Needless to say, I quite like them :bug:
The wet weather brought out the snails.
And the slugs…
More unusual was this shield bug lurking at the rear of the garden.
Being out with the macro made me wonder whether we had any young newts in the pond. I've not really been looking for them, but sure enough they were there, among all the weed.
And finally (and look away now if you suffer from arachnophobia), a common garden spider seen from a somewhat uncommon perspective.
Here's looking at you :bug:
Camera note: all shots taken with the EOS 40D and Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens.
chthoniid
1 Sep 2008Lovely spider shot 🙂 What's the crop on that one? You've captured some nice textures on the shield bug also.
Cheers- B
Words
1 Sep 2008Brendan, easiest way to show is to post the full-frame. Beware, large file (and very large spider).
Words
1 Sep 2008Brendan, the body is about 2cm long (plus legs).
Words
1 Sep 2008No extension tubes, but I was as close as I could get with the 105 macro. The spider is (oh heck… I'll go and see if it's still there and measure it)….
cakkleberrylane
1 Sep 2008Amazing! So interesting to see the large picture from the link above. It almost looks like spikes on the legs rather than hairs.
chthoniid
1 Sep 2008Nice- I assume it is either a very very big spider or you had the help of the extension tubes?
chthoniid
1 Sep 2008😀 Thanks.
gdare
1 Sep 2008That green bug is :up:
Ukwildlife
1 Sep 2008great pics, especially the last one
Also have you got this the latest BBC wildlife? Where both on the letters page in the forum column with my question on there being less dragon and butterflies and your answer 😀
SittingFox
1 Sep 2008That spider picture is amazing! :bug: And it's big. Very big :bug:
I like the bashful snail too 🙂
CedarFox
2 Sep 2008I didn't, but I think I might now :eyes:
Words
2 Sep 2008Eric, I take it you looked at the full-size version. 😉
Words
2 Sep 2008Thanks Darko :cheers:
Words
2 Sep 2008Neil, I spotted that in the BBC magazine (I've got a sub). They grabbed it off the forum pages. Obviously desperate to fill some space, but it's true… dragonflies have been thin on the ground this year for some reason.
Words
2 Sep 2008Adele, I was pleased with the spider, but slightly shocked at the size of it! Snails are always a good stand-by if nothing else is around.
Words
2 Sep 2008Lois, thanks. It's weird seeing them that close isn't it!
Ukwildlife
2 Sep 2008Talking of BBc wildlife you should have a crack at the 'your photos' bit. One of your foxes or that spider close up must be in with a good chance
Words
2 Sep 2008Neil, I may send them something 😉