Insect chasing..

[StuartR]

Still trying to get decent shots of bees and other small insects but I think things are s-l-o-w-l-y improving?

I'm using my Canon 70-300mm zoom (usually set in the 120 - 160mm range) with a Canon 500D close-up lens attachment which is a bit of an unwieldy setup when hand-holding (as all these shots were), even with the IS. Depth of field is obviously an issue as I was using larger apertures to get the shutter speed up and, on a moving target, I found I needed to zoom out to track them and ended up with significant crops - not ideal either!

I do have a Canon EF-S 60mm macro lens which is a good performer but I find I need to get too close to the subject and frighten them off (or myself in the case of some of the larger bees ). Perhaps I should have bought the 180mm Sigma after all, even though it was a bit more than I wanted to pay.

I guess I should also be looking at a ring-flash?........ all I seem to do is spend money on this hobby

Anyway, a couple of bees, a red admiral by our pond (in bright contrasty light unfortunately - didn't realise they were so hairy either!) and one of our resident blackbirds watching me from the other side of the garden.

[Ian]

Re: Insect chasing..

Stuart, that's a great collection of shots. Your bee shots are pin sharp too. But the blackbird steals the show - almost as if he's saying, "don't frighten them off, they're dessert!"

Ian

[lumix]

Re: Insect chasing..

Ok so you have thrown the glove down. Now I will have to get cracking and try to catch up. You may remember BEES are my main challenge and I am just waiting for the plants that attract them to come into bloom. Your shots are super. If I can get anywhere near that quality I will be more than pleased. Very well done Stuart, now go for one in full flight.

[StuartR]

Re: Insect chasing..

I love a challenge!

I remember a guy who had it absolutely cracked in terms of bees in flight, he posted some awesome images on PhotoSig (at least I'm pretty sure it was PhotoSig, may have been another forum).

I've just had a quick look on PhotoSig but I couldn't find them, although that's hardly surprising given the number of images on that site and it was probably 2 or 3 years ago that I saw them. Plenty of stuff on there you don't necessarily want to see though, which reminded me of the main reason I stopped using the site.

Pouring hard here at the moment so doubt I'll get much photography done today. On holiday for the next week with no particular plans - it will all depend on the weather. May go to Kew Gardens and / or one of the RHS gardens in Kent for one of the days - should be a few bees there

The only problem with these trips out is that I can't physically carry all my gear - I need a Sherpa! a service 'er indoors refuses to provide . Guess I'll limit myself to my 17-85mm IS which is a good "walk around" lens and stick some spare batteries and memory cards in my pocket.

Talking of 'er indoors, smells like she's cooking cheese scones - must go and investigate immediately!

[StuartR]

Re: Insect chasing..

Some good shots here

http://www.beetography.com/gallery/746084/1/32872660#32872660

[coupekid]

Re: Insect chasing..

Some terrific shots there Stuart!

[Caz]

Re: Insect chasing..

Absolutely fantastic shots of the bees and butterflies. Definitely none of those about today - rain's not stopped all day.

The only photographic opportunity has been trying to catch the jackdaw who's discovered that by sitting on a crossbeam of the rose arch that he can get at the seed feeder, but the couple I did manage weren't keepers and decided it was too darn cold to have the window open. Then he brought along about 8 of his mates, so we chased them away because the 'greedy finches' as they're known round here won't come down with them around...

Caz

[StuartR]

Re: Insect chasing..

Ok so you have thrown the glove down. Now I will have to get cracking and try to catch up. You may remember BEES are my main challenge and I am just waiting for the plants that attract them to come into bloom. Your shots are super. If I can get anywhere near that quality I will be more than pleased. Very well done Stuart, now go for one in full flight.

Hey, I forgot, I have a couple of "in flight" shots! (previously posted in other threads)

OK, so the first one doesn't exactly fill the frame and the second is a bit blurred

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Insect chasing..

Some great shots Stuart. Your 2nd bee pic looks as tho' English bees are bigger & more like bumble bees to me! The bees & what Australians call a 'European wasp' are somewhat different & a lot less hairy! Different, yet again to the very aggressive African Bee! In Africa, what looks to be a Bumble Bee is a type of Boring bee (as in hole making)