My First Velvet Mite of the Season

e6filmuser

I was searching for slime mould fruiting bodies and small springtails amongst my stack of Sycamore logs when this individual arrived. I expect these mites to run around in the sun but this one was deep in the pile. Thankfully, it walked around, rather than ran.

I have been swapping my 50mm Leitz Photar and 40mm HM Schneider around quite a lot this last two days but I think it was the latter, at f11.The mite being a huge one, compared with most, f16 would have been better but would have needed a higher ISO and I couldn't afford to risk fiddling and losing my subject. So I have had to make some compromises with DOF.

I have been experimenting with placing my fill flash on a slide bar attached to the bottom of my camera and positioned to aim inwards, from the right, from about halfway along the extension. I am awaiting a longer bar. It may be coincidence but theses images, one in particular, were much more contrasty (bright highlights) than usual. I have increased shadow and decreased highlights in PP but the results are still not satisfactory.

Harold

Stumblebum

So that's what it is called! I remember these from when I was growing up!
Thanks for capturing it well and sharing it!

e6filmuser

Stumblebum wrote: »

So that's what it is called! I remember these from when I was growing up!
Thanks for capturing it well and sharing it!

I used to see these at work at lunchtime, on the stone-block walls of the drive. This one is much bigger than most.

Harold

Lord Vetinari

Good ones Harold- another bug I do not see in my garden
Brian v.

e6filmuser

Lord Vetinari wrote: »

Good ones Harold- another bug I do not see in my garden
Brian v.

Thanks, Brian.

I have been stalking arthropods in may garden for several years without seeing one, so there is always hope.

My "first of the season" was in anticipation of more. It is my first such mite in my garden.

Harold