A Few More Insects

[Geoff F]

A few days of cloud, showers and strong winds have allowed me to catch up on the processing, and identification, backlog.



Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum)



Melanstoma scalare - a rather common hoverfly but so far I can't place the plant.



Micropterix calthella I think. These tiny moths were clustering on most of the buttercups. Being so small and a shiny golden colour I always struggle to photograph them. And they won't stay still either!



Empis tessellata - well covered in pollen.

[bnnrcn]

Nice shots ,the last one is superb

[Geoff F]

Thanks. Sometimes you get a scene where you are able to include a bit of foreground or background such as a nicely marked leaf or flower and have an angle where everything is sufficiently focused.

But more often than not, I am trying to lose a bit of poor and distracting background.

[IzzieK]

The Hairy Shieldbug certainly live up to its name, Geoff.

You've capture the hoverfly in a good position. If it had gone down a little bit, it would have merged with the plant it landed on -- very same colour.

I like the little moths for its colourful shine on their backs. It looks like one of the make-up thing I put on my eyelids... Man o man! if they are truly gold, you'd be rich if you are not yet.

The tessellata is most beautiful where it landed. Perfect shot there with the sharpness and contrast against the white flower. I like the way you did this one, bug and flower both.

All good ones, Geoff...very good ones.

[Brownbear]

The last image is stunningly beautiful! I also like the 1st and 2nd images, but the last image is just gorgeous!

[FootLoose]

The first and 4ht for me, Geoff. The tessellata looks like it has claimed its territory and is prepared to defend it against the big black eye.

[Rita]

These are all nice images but the last one is superb.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Stagecoach]

It's the 1st and 4th for me with these Geoff, the shield bug is quite and interesting critter, almost crab like.

The 4th certainly demonstrates an efficient pollen spreading method and you were lucky with the backgrounds for all of them.

Grahame

[wilgk]

Very nice indeed

[deetheturk]

Nice series Geoff,its #1 and #4 for me too,well done mate i know how hard it is to capture images like these

David

[Geoff F]

Thanks. With the shieldbug I started by taking a 'standard shot' from above then managed to slide around and drop down for a side shot to show its hairiness.

I've tried those tiny shiny moths many times with little success. I find that the only hope is to concentrate on one individual which is roughly in the right position and let those which aren't in so good a position just blur.

Also, some negative exposure compensation is always required to overcome the reflection; then recover what is possible during editing. Often works better in shade but they are sun lovers.

If I had an assistant it would be possible to hold up some form of 'shade maker'. I carry a fairly large fold out grey card which also has a white side that can prove useful for shade or adding reflected light which is often useful for flowers and fungi. But when your subjects are running around whilst the flower is blowing in the breeze you need to concentrate on just getting a focus.

[John 2]

Excellent set Geoff. I particularly like the last one. Must get out there.

[MillennialDusk]

Love these. The 4th and the Hoverfly are my picks.