Macro Photo thread
Discussion
A few from the garden
Shield bug by Nigel, on Flickr
Hoverfly on Dahlia by Nigel, on Flickr
Hoverfly on echinops by Nigel, on Flickr
Flying hoverfly by Nigel, on Flickr
Shield bug by Nigel, on FlickrHoverfly on Dahlia by Nigel, on FlickrHoverfly on echinops by Nigel, on FlickrFlying hoverfly by Nigel, on FlickrVintage Racer said:
Coincidentaly, I set this months picture competition about 'timing'....................Little did I know that I was to witness the following attack on a Hoverfly by a Hornet this afternoon. - Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Was that quite a small hornet or a very large hoverfly?I have always thought of hornets as being quite large compared to, for example, most wasps. But that one looks quite small compared to a hoverfly.
A couple of days ago, no camera to hand, I noticed what I took to be a smallish wasp (we saw few wasps last year and though there are more this year they look quite small) interacting with a fly. I think the fly had just been attacked and stung and was clearly not able to fly but was moving around.
The wasp appeared to fly off but then returned a couple of seconds later, straddled the fly, seemingly gripping it with its legs, and then flew off with it. I cannot recall ever seeing this sort of activity from a wasp before. In fact since the fly and wasp were not hugely different in size I was surprised that the wasp looked so able to fly off carrying its load.
Would this sort of activity be more likely to be a small hornet of some sort rather than a wasp?
Edited by LongQ on Tuesday 21st August 21:28
LongQ said:
Was that quite a small hornet or a very large hoverfly?
I have always thought of hornets as being quite large compered to, for example, most wasps. But that one looks quite small compared to a hoverfly.
A couple of days ago, no camera to hand, I noticed what I took to be a smallish wasp (we saw few wasps last year and though there are more this year they look quite small) interacting with a fly. I think the fly had just been attacked and stung and was clearly not able to fly but was moving around.
The wasp appeared to fly off but then returned a couple of seconds later, straddled the fly, seemingly gripping it with its legs, and then flew off with it. I cannot recall ever seeing this sort of activity from a wasp before. In fact since the fly and wasp were not hugely different in size I was surprised that the wasp looked so able to fly off carrying its load.
Would this sort of activity be more likely to be a small hornet of some sort rather than a wasp?
I'm no expert, but we do seem to have 2 sizes here in the Dordogne and that one was of the smaller variety. - Having said that, it did not lack aggression!!I have always thought of hornets as being quite large compered to, for example, most wasps. But that one looks quite small compared to a hoverfly.
A couple of days ago, no camera to hand, I noticed what I took to be a smallish wasp (we saw few wasps last year and though there are more this year they look quite small) interacting with a fly. I think the fly had just been attacked and stung and was clearly not able to fly but was moving around.
The wasp appeared to fly off but then returned a couple of seconds later, straddled the fly, seemingly gripping it with its legs, and then flew off with it. I cannot recall ever seeing this sort of activity from a wasp before. In fact since the fly and wasp were not hugely different in size I was surprised that the wasp looked so able to fly off carrying its load.
Would this sort of activity be more likely to be a small hornet of some sort rather than a wasp?
I've seen them fly off with a complete carcass before, but never witnessed a beheading.
The whole sequence was around 170 shots..................the wife did'nt quite show the interest that I had!
Vintage Racer said:
LongQ said:
Was that quite a small hornet or a very large hoverfly?
I have always thought of hornets as being quite large compered to, for example, most wasps. But that one looks quite small compared to a hoverfly.
A couple of days ago, no camera to hand, I noticed what I took to be a smallish wasp (we saw few wasps last year and though there are more this year they look quite small) interacting with a fly. I think the fly had just been attacked and stung and was clearly not able to fly but was moving around.
The wasp appeared to fly off but then returned a couple of seconds later, straddled the fly, seemingly gripping it with its legs, and then flew off with it. I cannot recall ever seeing this sort of activity from a wasp before. In fact since the fly and wasp were not hugely different in size I was surprised that the wasp looked so able to fly off carrying its load.
Would this sort of activity be more likely to be a small hornet of some sort rather than a wasp?
I'm no expert, but we do seem to have 2 sizes here in the Dordogne and that one was of the smaller variety. - Having said that, it did not lack aggression!!I have always thought of hornets as being quite large compered to, for example, most wasps. But that one looks quite small compared to a hoverfly.
A couple of days ago, no camera to hand, I noticed what I took to be a smallish wasp (we saw few wasps last year and though there are more this year they look quite small) interacting with a fly. I think the fly had just been attacked and stung and was clearly not able to fly but was moving around.
The wasp appeared to fly off but then returned a couple of seconds later, straddled the fly, seemingly gripping it with its legs, and then flew off with it. I cannot recall ever seeing this sort of activity from a wasp before. In fact since the fly and wasp were not hugely different in size I was surprised that the wasp looked so able to fly off carrying its load.
Would this sort of activity be more likely to be a small hornet of some sort rather than a wasp?
I've seen them fly off with a complete carcass before, but never witnessed a beheading.
The whole sequence was around 170 shots..................the wife did'nt quite show the interest that I had!
A couple of days ago I discovered a small frog camping out in one of the pot plants on out patio.
Having seen my phone snaps the wife decided she could do better with her phone and went out to harass the poor creature. It was, of course, sheltered under a plant that was blowing around a lot on a very blustery day.. An hour after I had last seen it and after a few seconds or attempting to move the plant and peer under it, she announced that it had gone and came back indoors. Well, it was windy enough to put off the most intrepid explorer ...
This evening I took a look and there was the frog, pretty much where I would expect it to be.
I don't think I will say anything.
Well, not until I take another snap of the wee beastie tomorrow - if it's still there.
Was down south for a few days - not many opportunities for photography but I could not believe the quantity of bugs compared to up here (Edinburgh)! Totally jealous.
Common Blue Damselfly by Mike Smith, on Flickr
Common Blue Damselfly by Mike Smith, on Flickr
Horsefly this morning and "Come into my parlour said the Spider to the Fly" this afternoon..........Raynox DCR150 mounted on Nikon 70-200f4
DSC_2861_00001 (2) by Glynn Hobbs, on Flickr
DSC_2779_00003 (3) by Glynn Hobbs, on Flickr
DSC_2861_00001 (2) by Glynn Hobbs, on FlickrDSC_2779_00003 (3) by Glynn Hobbs, on FlickrEdited by Vintage Racer on Wednesday 8th August 17:23
LongQ said:
Impressive results Vintage Racer.
The EXIF info suggests the aperture used was f32.
Have you found you need to go to that to get depth of field from one shot?
I had a Raynox DCR150 attached to my 70-200, and was shooting hand-held, so although I could have got away with less, decided to take any help I could get! The EXIF info suggests the aperture used was f32.
Have you found you need to go to that to get depth of field from one shot?
Vintage Racer said:
LongQ said:
Impressive results Vintage Racer.
The EXIF info suggests the aperture used was f32.
Have you found you need to go to that to get depth of field from one shot?
I had a Raynox DCR150 attached to my 70-200, and was shooting hand-held, so although I could have got away with less, decided to take any help I could get! The EXIF info suggests the aperture used was f32.
Have you found you need to go to that to get depth of field from one shot?
I have no idea really - just wondered if you had run some comparisons - especially with the Raynox in the mix.
Anyone want to hazard a guess at the species for this grasshopper? Found on the slopes of Mont Ventoux in southern France.
Unknown French Grasshopper by Mike Gardiner, on Flickr
Unknown French Grasshopper by Mike Gardiner, on Flickr
Finally! Been looking for one of these for ages 
Common Darter (1) by Mike Smith, on Flickr
Common Darter (2) by Mike Smith, on Flickr
Common Darter (1) by Mike Smith, on Flickr
Common Darter (2) by Mike Smith, on Flickr
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