View allAll Photos Tagged InsectPhotography
I had a tough time photographing female Sweat Bees while they were collecting pollen in Sourgrass flowers because it wasn't windy enough. There was only an intermittent light breeze, so when I grabbed onto the flower's stem to keep it steady she noticed me and stopped foraging. Much easier when the vibration of the wind can mask the vibration that I cause when shooting these scenes.
Sweat Bees in Sourgrass Deconstruction
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
OM System OM-1 + M.Zuiko 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO + Godox V860iii + Cygnustech flash diffuser - 42 shots focus stacked
There is a rooster close to my new place that crows at the crack of dawn. The only good thing about it is that it wakes me up just after 5am and I go looking for something lethargic to shoot. I found this European Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum) snoozing in my Lavender but it woke up as I got close. Didn't get many frames before it got tired of my camera in its face.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
This is a European Blue Mason Bee emerging from its cocoon. Osmia Caerulescens, male.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (Almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
Giant diving beetle. These beetles are active in summer and live in ponds or ditches, feeding on other aquatic arthropods. They are nocturnal but sometimes active during the day. Approximately 3.5 cm in length.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybister_fimbriolatus
This beetle feeds on aquatic insects and creatures, this includes tadpoles. The males use their paddle feet to secure females for mating. They are good flyers and are attracted to artificial lights at night. They are most active at night and can be seen moving from puddles and pools to flooded roads, moving from one water source to the next.
I bought a kit last year so I could raise a few Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilio machaon) and this is a frame with the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens set to just under 5x.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to almost 5x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
When I found this bee I wasn't sure what it was doing, but it didn't seem skittish so I decided to try and take a shot. When I looked through the view finder I realized that it was blowing a bubble, and every other second or so it would stick its proboscis out. The prevailing theory is that insects blow bubbles to expose their stomach contents to the air to aid beneficial bacteria in breaking down what they've eaten. Note: I've also been told that they can blow bubbles as a way to cool off, but it wasn't hot on the day I took this shot and the critter was in the shade. Still interesting that they can exchange heat that way.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/100, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.
Close up on a dramatic looking caterpillar, the larva of (I think) an Archaeoprepona or Prepona sp. butterfly.
I was photographing and came to a grass spot, hoping for some other insects like froghoppers, which i got a shot of (post name: Meadow froghopper laying in the leaves). Then i saw this wasp species flying. It looked quite interresting, so i wanted to get a shot of it, but it was very active. Then it finally landed and still moved, but the shot was doable. So i took my shots, making me have this result!
---
Genus: Diplazon (ichneumon wasps)
I was unraveling a cardboard nesting tube and the paper broke off right at the top of a cocoon with an emerging male Blue Mason Bee. Normally I'd harvest the cocoons in November and then put them in my refrigerator but the humidity causes them to mold. So I wait until the daytime temps consistently hit 15C (about 60F) and then unwrap the tubes. But it's been so warm this February that a lot of the bees are emerging already.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
Another cool, partly cloudy day so I went looking for solitary bees since they have a tough time staying active in this weather. Although this female Mason Bee might look ferocious she's just chattering her mandibles in an attempt to get her metabolism going so she can get away from that jerk with the camera ;) I'm not sure if this is a Red or a European Blue Mason, the males are easier for me to identify.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
This is a higher magnification shot of a Resin Bee than the first one I posted. Several people have asked about the magnification that I include with my images and if I'm including the crop factor of the sensor. Cropping an image, either with a smaller than full frame sensor or in post, creates an enlargement and does not change the magnification. The MP-E 65mm macro lens that I use has magnification markings on the barrel and that's how I can tell what magnification I'm shooting at. The depth in my images is due to the way that I twist my wrist to lay the area of acceptable focus over the curve of the critter's face. After 15 years of shooting macro hand held I've built up a lot of muscle memory.
Trachusa interrupta, male.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I held the grass stalk close to a wall to keep the background from being black.
Cool, partly cloudy weather makes the perfect conditions to photograph small solitary bees. I found this female Mining Bee in a Dandelion. She would occasionally "wake up" and move around the flower and when she paused I'd take a shot.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. Shutter and ISO set to expose the sky in the background.
Several different species of solitary bee sleep by clamping their mandibles onto something. The way that their jaws are designed they natural close and the critter has to use its muscles to open them, so it can snooze and still stay clamped tight. But to come off of that perch they have to get their metabolism going, and this Resin Bee is trying to push off of the grass stem that it chose to sleep on cause it wants to get away from me. Not long after I got this shot he managed to free himself and take off.
Trachusa interrupta, male. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in June of 2021.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC. This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
I bought a kit so I could raise a few Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilio machaon) and this is a frame with the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens set to just under 4x.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 4x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order. I shot a video of the "field studio" that I used to photograph this critter youtu.be/n9rXaXeUZ3k
A beekeeper was kind enough to crack open a few hives for me, and I managed to photograph a honeybee birthday (Apis mellifera liquistica).
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
The sun is warm today but the breeze is cool, so I went looking for critters that were foraging in the shade hoping to find one that was lethargic. I managed to get close to a Sweat Bee and while I was looking through the view finder she started cleaning her proboscis. Pretty common for flying insects to do a little maintenance before they take off.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC. This is a single frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. Shutter and ISO set to expose the sky in the background.
This is the second test shot that I took with a diffuser set that I am working on for the MT26EX RT macro twin flash. This time I managed to grab onto the stem of the flower with my non-camera hand to help keep it steady, so the details are better in this frame of a foraging honeybee.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F13, 1/80, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC. This is a single, slightly cropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
I got lucky and found a pair of snoozing Long Horned Bees -named after their long antenna. Not uncommon for them to sleep together, and I wonder if it helps them to keep warm or possibly to warm up and get active faster.
Tetralonia malvae, males.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
The underside of a Black Swallowtail caterpillar that one rarely sees. This one is adhering to a plastic dish. Afterwards, it was released unharmed.
[Note: no animals were harmed in the filming of this scene.]
Macro Mondays
Theme: Bottoms Up
HMM!
Cool temps and partly cloudy weather provided the perfect conditions to go looking for a dormant solitary bee. Not sure about the species, and unfortunately it took off before I could get a full body shot. Image taken in Bacoli, Italy in November of 2019.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to under 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, slightly cropped, frame taken hand held.
I found this rather alien looking metallic beetle eating Dandelion pollen and followed it around the flower waiting for it to pause long enough for me to get a shot. Not exactly sure what species it is.
Tentatively identified as Buprestidae, likely in the genus Acmaeodera. Common name: Jewel Beetle.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I held the flower close to a wall to keep the background from being black.