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The survival series of the leaves and the miners. Leaves are so dense over the garden that you cannot see even a glimpse of Earth beneath. I was lucky enough to spot a leaf miner navigating on its own path of wisdom in one of those green slushy leaf. The view on the picture resembles as if the miner has created a tarmac route for others to drive through. The miner had eaten the tissues of the leaf in a way that it shows has left behind a road which tempts other to follow suit on its way.
Overcast skies and intermittent rain set up the perfect conditions to go looking for a lethargic critter to photograph. I found this semi-active Sweat Bee on a Buttercup flower and when it would stop moving I'd look for a good angle to take a shot.
Shot taken in Bacoli, Italy in May of 2019.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, 0 FEC. This is a single, cropped, frame taken hand held.
A group of Sweat Bees set up camp in one of my Geranium flowers. They like to sleep under the leaves in groups, and the plant seems to offer them some good protection. I checked on them after a heavy thunderstorm and they seemed to be OK. They are called Sweat Bees because some of them are attracted to the minerals in your sweat. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in August of 2021.
Possibly Halictus sexcinctus.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
This is another one of our trip images, we love to photograph Butterfies when we get a chance and this guy was begging to have his photo taken. This is a Florida species that gets up into the Carolina's, but is not common. Thanks for looking and all the comments.
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“Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.”
~Count Basie
While hiking around Monte Orlando in Gaeta, Italy I found this Chafer Beetle that was more hungry than afraid. I can't get close to this same species at my mother in law's farm when they are active.
Possible ID: Oxythyrea funesta.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (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 and Clarity in that order.
"Sometimes The smallest Things Take up the most room .......
.....to OUR Hearts...!!!!!!!! ""
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMixBIsHk0c
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I could watch this Sweat Bee foraging for pollen in a Sunflower all day. The hard part was tracking her as she moved with the MP-E 65mm set to 2x. This scene is only eleven millimeters wide. Lots of deleted frames.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (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.
Cool temps and partly cloudy weather provided the perfect conditions to go looking for a semi-dormant solitary bee.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black. In post I used Topaz Labs Denoise IA and Clarity in that order.
A messy European Wool Carder bee that was semi active even though I waited until 6AM to shoot it. I found it the night before but was hoping it would be a little more lethargic if I waited until the morning to photograph it. When it would calm down I'd look for an interesting angle. Took over one hundred frames and I'll probably only publish four.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 3.5x) + 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. I'm holding on to the stem of the flower with my left hand, and resting the lens on that same hand to keep the scene steady.
Wasps were less numerous this summer in the cool damp conditions. Now there are a few left feeding on the late Ivy flowers. Here is a 'November' wasp grazing. Though many people don't like them, we need these creatures.
It is pretty common for mildew (a fungus) to grow on Sunflower leaves but when it does nature sends in her cleaning crew, the 22 Spot Ladybug. They have been grazing like cows in my yard for about a week now.
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to about 2.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -2/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
It appeared as white "fuzz" on the stems of some plants. A close-up of the "fuzz" reveals a cocoon with a pupa inside.
Taken at Doylestown, PA, Jul 11, 2016.
Need help with I.D.
I really like photographing these little female sweat bees as they forage for pollen in Sour Grass flowers because it's really difficult. When it's windy they can't tell the difference between the breeze and me grabbing onto the flower to keep it still. But today there was almost no wind. Lots of deleted frames.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + 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, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
Image selected by National Geographic as one of the photos of the week: www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/your-shot/photos-o...
As this Sweat Bee was waking up it would walk around a Geranium Petal, and when it paused I looked for a composition. They are called Sweat Bees because some of them are attracted to the minerals in your sweat. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in August of 2021.
Possibly Halictus sexcinctus.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
While hiking around the farm I found this Chafer Beetle feeding on Dandelion pollen. I like to go looking for subjects early in the day because they are sometimes more hungry than afraid.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, cropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
Found and photographed in my garden, this grasshopper lacks the bright and vivid colours that may indicate that it is either distasteful or poisonous to eat, and would probably make an easy meal for any would-be predator. So it uses its green body to expertly match the surrounding vegetation as it shelters within the safety of a leaf stem, helping it to avoid detection from watchful eyes. Once the coast is clear, it will leave to continue foraging on the plants in my garden or whatever else it is that grasshoppers do. Trinidad & Tobago.
This Sweat Bee (L. leucozonium) was camping in my Lavender for a few days.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I'm holding on to the stem of the Lavender with my left hand, and resting the lens on that same hand to keep the scene steady.
Technique: I found this European Wool carder bee snoozing on a Lavender stalk before sunset and woke up early the next morning to photograph it before it warmed up and got active. I placed an artificial flower in the background to keep the background from being black. This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 with highlight tone priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering with -1 2/3 FEC).
This female Sweat Bee is using her mandibles to strip pollen out of a Sourgrass anther. I shot a video on how I take these photos youtu.be/iQtUIiNCSzs
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. I was holding on to the flower's stem with my left hand, and then resting the lens on that same hand to help keep the scene steady. Easier to do on days when it's windy since the vibrations that I create when I grab onto the flower are masked by the breeze.
Yesterday I discovered a One-Day Fly on a Daffodil Blossom.
Was it just a one-off meeting between us? -)
While I was photographing this Ladybug it started cleaning itself, kinda like a cat licking its paws.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -1 FEC. This is a single frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
A male sweat bee doing a bit of a tightrope act on a thread-thin grass stem. I noticed him near the ground, clambering up and down the stem; given that it was late in the day, I assume he was looking for a perch to roost on during the night.
A male Red Mason Bee resting on a Sourgrass flower.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + 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 Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.
I found this Cricket foraging on a Dandelion at the Monte Orlando Nature Preserve in Gaeta, Italy. Right before it took off the critter cleaned its face and ate the pollen that had stuck to it. Nearly every insect that I have photographed will do some sort of pre-flight maintenance before it gets airborne. So if you manage to get close to an active subject be ready for this type of behavior because it makes for a really interesting photo.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, 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 and Clarity in that order. I dragged the shutter to expose for the natural light in the background while keeping the subject in the shade.
This large caterpillar (Actias luna), judging from its reddish coloration is ready to pupate. It was found on the side of the road and returned to a sweet gum tree, one of its preferred leaf foods.
Cool temps and partly cloudy weather provided the perfect conditions to go looking for a dormant solitary bee. This is the last composition I was able to get before the critter took off.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.