Some small bugs

[Lord Vetinari]

Some recent shots- bugs seem to get smaller in Winter :)

Brian V.

Click on Pics for larger size

Flightless wasp 2.2mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/116/301995628_fb9a1104f8.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/116/301995628_fb9a1104f8_o.jpg)

Jumping plant louse (Psyllid) about 2.7mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/104/301995617_52c44faa15.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/104/301995617_52c44faa15_o.jpg)

Fungus gnat about 2.5mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/108/303662965_4fcdc9a7c0.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/108/303662965_4fcdc9a7c0_o.jpg)

Colourful springtail about 1.4mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/115/303662956_d2f745b73e.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/115/303662956_d2f745b73e_o.jpg)

Chalcid wasp 1.25mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/104/305030361_91e7ea0771.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/104/305030361_91e7ea0771_o.jpg)

Globular springtail about 1.7mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/107/305027582_969d5014a2.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/107/305027582_969d5014a2_o.jpg)

Black biting fly taken at 5:1 body length about 3.5mm

http://static.flickr.com/103/304262541_1207bc5cf8.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/103/304262541_1207bc5cf8_o.jpg)

[Skippy]

Some recent shots- bugs seem to get smaller in Winter :)

Brian V.
Click on Pics for larger size
Flightless wasp 2.2mm body length
Jumping plant louse (Psyllid) about 2.7mm body length
Fungus gnat about 2.5mm body length
Colourful springtail about 1.4mm body length
Chalcid wasp 1.25mm body length
Globular springtail about 1.7mm body length

http://static.flickr.com/107/305027582_969d5014a2.jpg (http://static.flickr.com/107/305027582_969d5014a2_o.jpg)

Black biting fly taken at 5:1 body length about 3.5mm


More Brilliant Macros Brian :clap :clap that little fat Globular Springtail is my favourite, looks a bit like a cartoon character.
The whole lot are amazing Brian, gosh I love it when you share your work :D

....... Skippy (Australia)

[Awais Yaqub]

Wow Alien Invasion !
Spectecular photography Brian
:lust:clap

[Derno]

so amazing!!!!!! ill say it once and ill say it again, I LOVE MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY

[Lord Vetinari]

More Brilliant Macros Brian :clap :clap that little fat Globular Springtail is my favourite, looks a bit like a cartoon character.
The whole lot are amazing Brian, gosh I love it when you share your work :D

....... Skippy (Australia)
Thanks Skippy- I'm beginning to get the hang of photographing these small critters now- think this is my best springtail shot to date. :)
Brian V.

[Lord Vetinari]

Thanks Awais and Derno for your kind comments :)
Brian V.

[ivar]

Nice shots as usual Brian, love the flightless wasp.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know how big those guys are? do you measure them somehow?

[ChrisJ]

Always look forward to your posts, Brian. I agree with Skippy, the globular springtail is my favorite! Love the detail in the hairs.

[Lord Vetinari]

Nice shots as usual Brian, love the flightless wasp.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know how big those guys are? do you measure them somehow?
Thanks Ivar :)
The size is done by ratios from the picture as long as you know what magnification you were using. Length of bug= (length of bug in pic/pic width) * sensor width (22.5mm)/magnification. Most of these shots were taken at 4 or 5:1 magnification. With the last fly I had taken a lower mag whole body shot before the high power shot.
Brian V.

[Lord Vetinari]

Always look forward to your posts, Brian. I agree with Skippy, the globular springtail is my favorite! Love the detail in the hairs.
Thanks Chris :)
Glad you enjoy them.
Brian V.

[andymillson]

Every time I look at your stuff Brian the more i hate you! :rofl

Fantastic work as ever!! :bow:clap:barb

[tlee]

These are awesome. Love the last one.

[Antonio Correia]

These photos make me smile because they are so incredible, beautiful and well done.

It's a pleasure to look at them.

One only gets doing this kind of work after many, many similar shots, essais and shots.

Look at me: If I was going to try to do the same it would cost me months to get there. :D Lots lots and lots of work.
Sometimes we think a work is easy and, finally it is not.

:thumb

[BPCooper]

These are outstanding, particularly the ones with color.

[Lord Vetinari]

Thanks again for the comments all :)
Antonio- you make it sound a bit like a chore :) but must admit I do practice a lot but love every minute of it. As you imply you never stop learning.
Brian V.

[Antonio Correia]

Vetinari[/left]]Thanks again for the comments all :)
Antonio- you make it sound a bit like a chore :) but must admit I do practice a lot but love every minute of it. As you imply you never stop learning.
Brian V.
Yes. We never stop learning.
There is so much to learn that we will never get there ...

:thumb

[Swartzy]

(of course)! How do you get so close without them flying away? Maybe that's been answered before but I missed it. Your macro shots are outstanding Brian and always a joy to view. Makes us all try harder for that perfect focus and detail. Great work! :clap

[jsedlak]

WOW!!!!!
:jawdrop and a :lynnma for good measure!

[Lord Vetinari]

Thanks again for the kind comments :)
Swartzy re getting close to bugs- there are some general hints here
http://www.flickr.com/groups/macroviewers/discuss/72057594073223102/

Once you get the basic ideas it's a matter of luck or taking advantage of a situation. eg the in the last shot that fly had only just hatched and was not flying anywhere for a while. Taking shots early in the morning before the bugs warm up is also another trick. Obviously I do spook the bugs often but only get pics of the ones I manage not to spook :)
Brian V.

[firedancing4life]

Great Series!