Couple of macro shots from a B'ham garden

[ajohnw]

I usually look every day. 1st time I have found anything worth shooting.

These were on a Russian vine aka a mile a minute plant. Difficult angle so a couple of shots lost the dof on the head so I reduced the magnification on this one.



Not sure what is going on but they were generally around these



I think these are called lady bugs and eat the mites. Looks more like they herd them or maybe they are babies.

Lastly a nice caterpillar. About 20mm long. I slightly missed the focus on the head. It's been moved otherwise I would shoot it again. As if it would damage a rose.



Any ID help appreciated.

John
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[deetheturk]

Hi John, nice captures, I'm sure your right as in the Ladybird/bug larvae, the little black things are Aphids or baby Green Fly, haven't got a clue about the Caterpillar though?

Cheers David

[HaseebM]

All the shots are good, well done!

[csa mt]

Really nice macro shots! I especially like the last one, caterpillar; very nice colors on it!

[Kaye Leggett]

Love the beautiful colours but can't help with any identification !

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[ajohnw]

Thanks all.

It looks like the caterpillar is actual a rose saw fly larva of some sort. The few picture I can find don't show the same colouration but are very similar.

John
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[bnnrcn]

Hi John, I like the caterpillar very much I keep thinking of buying a macro lens but I stop myself from doing it because I know that if I fall into macro shooting , I will be addicted to it and I won't shoot other things..May be later

[ajohnw]

Hi John, I like the caterpillar very much I keep thinking of buying a macro lens but I stop myself from doing it because I know that if I fall into macro shooting , I will be addicted to it and I won't shoot other things..May be later

I seem to be settling on a 75-300mm zoom lens and an achromatic close up lens. Mainly because of the working distance of the m 4/3 macro lens. Thats' 150-600mm in full frame terms.

It's always fascinated me which is probably why I have tended to stay away from it in the past. However it's not always possible to find anything to photograph. I suspect this depends on the state of local hedge rows etc. Many of choked up with brambles and nettles and from what I see offer little encouragement for insects. Find an area where farmers maintain them that also have wild flowers and things are entirely different. I suspect air pollution also plays a part.

John
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[ied]

I can't bring myself to like bugs.... but i do appreciate the macro photography of same.
nice captures.

Irene

[IzzieK]

Both are very nice captures, John...I particularly like the caterpillar. When it grows up you will see what kind of flutterby it will be...just keep watching...