Mating Tortoise Beetle

e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
edited November 16, 2014 in Holy Macro
EM-1, Printing Nikkor 105mm at f11 on extension, with a Kiron Matchmate x1.5 TC at the camera end. Twin flash. Hand-held. Uncropped.

Harold


979612.jpg

Comments

  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    Good find Harold but photo seems to lack clarity ?
    Brian v.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    Lord Vetinari wrote: »
    Good find Harold but photo seems to lack clarity ?
    Brian v.

    Brian,

    I was interested in its face and other dark parts. After many attempts, this is the best. The female is OOF towards the camera, as accepted to get the male's face.

    These beetles form colonies on balm plants in my garden each year. The leaves of the plants are on many levels, making good shooting angles uncommon as the beetles walk around, turning frequently. When on stems, vertically, they keep moving around, keeping the stem between us and blocking the view of the face. If you annoy them they readily fly.

    The larvae are spikey, pale green , with dark faecal pellets carries dorsally.

    Harold
  • e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    This is a shot with the whole beetle as the subject, rather than emphasising just the head.

    EP-2, Kiron 105mm f11 ISO 400, flash, hand-held.

    Harold

    963101.jpg
  • e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    I think my title, referring to singular beetle was a bit too subtle. Anyway, to make up for any disappointment, here is a sunlit shot with the Kiron.

    As is the case with such shots, there is little of the head/face visible, something the first image in the thread was supposed to have overcome. I should really have show the images in a different sequence.

    Harold

    958725.jpg
  • GOLDENORFEGOLDENORFE Super Moderators Posts: 4,747 moderator
    edited November 15, 2014
    Love the second frame Harold , I have only ever seen 2 of these beetles !
    Phil

    moderator - Holy Macro
    Goldenorfe’s Flickr Gallery
    Goldenorfe photography on Smugmug
    Phils Photographic Adventures Blog
  • e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    GOLDENORFE wrote: »
    Love the second frame Harold , I have only ever seen 2 of these beetles !

    I see them only on the balm plants, except when I have disturbed them and they fly onto nearby plants. If you want some to photograph, there should be plenty of spares for me to send you next summer.

    Harold
  • DeeBugDeeBug Registered Users Posts: 487 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    The last two frames are much clearer Harold, well captured!

    Davy
  • e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
    edited November 15, 2014
    DeeBug wrote: »
    The last two frames are much clearer Harold, well captured!

    Davy

    Thanks, Davy. I was on a mission with the first one. I am still after a decent portrait.

    Harold
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2014
    Lovely capture with #2 Harold. I would love to find some of these.
    Brian v.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • e6filmusere6filmuser Registered Users Posts: 3,379 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2014
    Lord Vetinari wrote: »
    Lovely capture with #2 Harold. I would love to find some of these.
    Brian v.

    Thanks, Brian.

    The same offer as to Phil applies.

    Harold
Sign In or Register to comment.