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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.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, 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, 0 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
Not the first time I've seen this species of solitary bee sleeping with it's proboscis anchored into a flower's stamen.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT ("A" flash head on a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
A beekeeper was kind enough to crack open a few hives for me, and I managed to photograph a honeybee birthday (Apis mellifera liquistica). The girls were definitely keeping an eye on me while I was shooting them.
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.
Odd to see a Chafer Beetle in February, but I found one eating the Sour Grass flowers in my yard.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 2.5x) + 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.
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.
This is a freehand shot of a feeding Hoverfly. Normally I'd grab on to the stem of that flower with my left hand, and then rest the lens on that same hand to help keep the scene steady. But there was no wind to mask the vibrations I was making and every time I tried to grab onto the flower I'd spook the critter. So I just braced my elbows on my chest and moved my body to get the focus where I wanted it.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
I went to my sister in law's house for another round of photographing Bumblebees in her Lavender, although a lot of the flowers are dead and the bees have moved on I managed to find one cooperative subject. Shot with version 2.0 of my diffusers for the MT26EX RT I'm getting more detail in the specular areas of the critters compound eye.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set close to 4x) + 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.
A close-up macro of a wasp feeding on a tiny wildflower.
The striking yellow and black patterns contrast beautifully with the delicate petals and soft green background.
I found this pair making the 22 Spot Ladybug with two backs in my zucchini.
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 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.
Another shot taken in the heat of the day (+28C/+86F) and the critter was hyperactive. Fortunately this beetle was more hungry than afraid, and I'm getting better at tracking moving subjects with the camera and had several frames to choose from. I don't focus stack and images like this one are one of the reasons why. I need to maintain the muscle memory that I've built up in order to photograph moving critters.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to around 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.
My son Eddy found this lethargic Bumblebee on his way home from school. Cool partly cloudy conditions slowed it down. After chilling on my hand for a while I managed to get it on a Daisy and feed it some Agave nectar.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F13, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to about 1.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC. This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
I found this 22 Spot Ladybug Larva on one of my Mint plants. With temps in the low 20C range (68F to 72F) it feels like spring in late October.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Denoise 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.
Cool, partly cloudy weather makes the perfect conditions to photograph small solitary bees. I found this female Mining Bee foraging for pollen in a Dandelion. She would occasionally "wake up" and move around the flower and when she paused I'd take a portrait.
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. Shutter and ISO set to expose the sky in the background.
Sometimes when I walk through the garden I get the feeling like I'm being watched. But that's silly- right?
Heute habe ich den sonnigen Morgen genutzt und bin wieder auf Liebellenjagd gegangen. Hier das Ergebnis :)
Ist Sie nicht wunderbar .... ?
Another Sweat Bee in a Sourgrass Flower that knows I'm close.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 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, 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 found this 22 Spot Ladybug Larva grazing on some fungus that's growing on my zucchini leaves.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/160, 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 found a semi-cooperative Chafer Beetle feeding on a Dandelion. As the critter moved around the flower I'd look for a shot when it would briefly paused.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 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. Shutter and ISO set to expose the sky in the background.
I found this Honeybee in an orange tree cleaning her proboscis. Really tricky shooting a moving subject at about 2.5x and getting the plane of focus where it needs to be. Lots of deleted frames.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 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.
Male of Megachile (Chalicodoma) parietina.
Technique: It was a cool day (18C) with partly cloudy skies and intermittent light showers -perfect weather to go looking for solitary bees since they'll have a tough time keeping their metabolism up. I got lucky and found this Mason bee semi-dormant in my Lavender.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 3x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black. I n post I used Topaz Labs Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity.
Male of Megachile (Chalicodoma) parietina.
Technique: After photographing this mason bee in my lavender I turned it loose in a plant on my patio while I went to have lunch. Evidently the little guy got active and had lunch as well, because this is how I found him later on that same afternoon. This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 3x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering).
Pretty much a masochist for shooting a Carpenter Bee in a Passion Flower -way too many things that can go wrong.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/60, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (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. I'm holding on to the Passion flower stem with my left hand, and resting the lens on that same hand to keep the scene steady. I injected Agave nectar into the Passion flower to give the critter a reason to let me get close.
Male of Megachile (Chalicodoma) parietina.
Technique: It was a cool day (18C) with partly cloudy skies and intermittent light showers -perfect weather to go looking for solitary bees since they'll have a tough time keeping their metabolism up. I got lucky and found this Mason bee semi-dormant in my Lavender.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering). 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 Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity (in that order).
I was shooting this dormant European Wool Carder Bee when it woke up. The scene unfolded so fast I only had time for this one image. Shot horizontally but framed for a vertical composition (I turned the shot 90 degrees in post). Easier than trying to hold the camera in portrait orientation.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (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. I'm holding on to the Lavender stem with my left hand, and resting the lens on that same hand to keep the scene steady.
It rained this afternoon and when it stopped I went looking for something to shoot and found this waterlogged male Red Mason Bee in a flower covered in pollen. This time I managed to find a composition at five times life size.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (5x) + 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.
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. I've 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. It might have been trying to concentrate the nectar that it collected as well.
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.
I found this Honeybee in an orange tree cleaning her proboscis. Really tricky shooting a moving subject at about 2.5x and getting the plane of focus where it needs to be. Lots of deleted frames. This is the only shot I could get of her wiping off her proboscis. It's difficult to time it due to the lag in pressing the shutter release all the way. I had to wait until her leg was at the end of her proboscis and then take the shot.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 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 Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.