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Surprise Close-Up - _TNY_3894

I spent an afternoon in late June (of 2023) trying to shoot beautiful demoiselles (Calopoteryx virgo) at the Stensjöbäcken creek in Tyresta National park using the Sigma 180 mm w/ a 2x teleconverter - and had some success. Shooting at that range obviously makes it easier to not scare them away - but I don't get that same super-closeup detail as with the MP-E65mm - like here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53164292054/

 

Well, when I packed up and started the walk back to the car, I switched to the MP-E65 just in case I was to stumble over some smaller insect. As I passed the old mill ruin I spotted another demoiselle, a female on an aspen leaf and decided it might be possible to get a shot.

 

Since the maximum working distance of the MP-E is 10.1 cm (4") I figured I only had a single chance at getting my shot so no chance of trying out different flash power levels or apertures on this one.

 

I moved up close, sorta found focus and pulled the trigger and the demoiselle took of a second later. To my surprise, the focus ended up just where I wanted it and the exposure came out just fine as well. So glad for all the eye detail on this one!

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Uploaded on September 11, 2023
Taken on June 20, 2023