A Rookie's Backyard Bugs

[santa_fe]

I finally put together all of my 'mobile macro' gear and when on my very first macro safari. Here are the results most of which I have no idea of their proper names.

This image is of a fire fly. Sex or species? I have no clue. I did determine that there are two types in my backyard, so this may be the male.

[santa_fe]

This next one is of the other type of fire fly. I would guess the female, but I really have no idea if this is correct or not.

[santa_fe]

This guy was pretty patient with me. He/she has some vicious mandibles from what i could see. Reminded me of the movie 'Predator' because the mandibles appeared to be very similar.

[santa_fe]

These were extremely colorful insects. That's about all I know.

[santa_fe]

I found many of these colorful flies to take pictures of. I should say 'try' to take pictures of because that didn't sit still for very long.

I must say that I created a rig very similar to what Brian Valentine uses and it worked quite well (Thank you, sir!) considering that this was my maiden run. I will be making a supporting arm (fabricated from light wood) which will allow me to hold this heavy rig a bit more easily. In addition, I plan on incorporating a 'trigger' to trip the shutter. I'll post photos of all this when done.

[Lord Vetinari]

Looks like a good start :)
Never seen firelies so can't help there.
#3 is a cricket (katydid) nymph I think- could be a grasshopper though.
#4 is a leaf hopper
#5 Dolichopid fly

LOoks like you found one downside of macro- it's shows all the dirt on the sensor (#2)

Brian V.

[santa_fe]

Looks like a good start :)
Never seen firelies so can't help there.
#3 is a cricket (katydid) nymph I think- could be a grasshopper though.
#4 is a leaf hopper
#5 Dolichopid fly

LOoks like you found one downside of macro- it's shows all the dirt on the sensor (#2)

Brian V.

Thank you for the thumbs up and the insect nomenclature in particular. The cricket or katydid is a fearsome looking critter. Do you know of a website that if useful of insect identification?

Yes, I too saw the sensor debris. My apologies for that oversight, but my time was limited and wanted to get these off to the SM press.

I must add that these initial forays into the macro world have taught me a great deal. However, there is much room for improvement which I look forward to doing. Today will be partly spent on fabricating a 'gun mount' (with remote trigger) to hold my gear a bit more comfortably.

And, as always, I appreciate your comments and critique.

[GOLDENORFE]

hi philip, nice first shots, #1 best for composition,looks like a fair bit of noise in image, have a look at "noise ninja" plug in for ps.
http://www.picturecode.com/

leaf hopper #4 v good.
phil

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

[santa_fe]

hi philip, nice first shots, #1 best for composition,looks like a fair bit of noise in image, have a look at "noise ninja" plug in for ps.
http://www.picturecode.com/

leaf hopper #4 v good.
phil

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

Hello, Phil!

Thanks for the thumbs-up!

I hear you loud and clear on the sensor dust, which I believe you were referring to. Today I discovered a super artifact removal tool right in Lightroom. Right under my nose, really, as I practically live in LR. It's the Clone/Heal tool right a the bottom of the Develop module pane. Works really wonderful.

At the moment, I'm fabricating a new bracket for my QFlash. This will use a new 'soft box', if you will, and should make the light much softer. At least that's the plan. Also will be making a rifle 'stock' of sorts to better support the whole rig with a remote shutter release which I think I really need as well.

Thanks for your comments and critique.

[courierman]

nice set of bugs,get a rocketblower ,hold the camera with hole down and blow up into the body to clean and when you change the lens to stop the dirt