Thanks everyone for the comments, and thanks to BM for the identification

This is a similar story to BeetleMan's. I was putting up a fence for a friend and almost chopped this chap in two with my spade. (I know the blade of grass in front of him is a little distracting :?) http://www.imagelocker.info/uploads/2/c5752a99ee_Frog1jpg.jpg http://www.imagelocker.info/uploads/1/...

beetleman wrote:weed-wacked

It's a Strimmer here in the UK.

Great pics BM, loads of detail

Lovely shots Bruce and good choice of background, it compliments the claw a treat

WOW!! How close is that?? Super shots

Super shot. You sure get some colourful beetles over the pond

Now this really is one to make you squirm.

A neighbours Cat was sick in our garden this morning. Closer inspection showed that the sick was full of worms, and I thought that was bad.

Admin edit: removed unusual smilies.

Very colourful and sharp shot Karl, and good link also Bruce, I use them regularly

Well caught pics but they are rather 'noisey'

WOW. What a strange bug, we have nothing like this in the UK (not that I have seen anyway).

Great pic btw

Taken on a patio table, not the best of backgrounds

Wow Sven, super image. Very well caught

Hi Bruce, thanks for the reply. The photography bug has well and truly got hold of me. The arty stuff has never really interested me (although I know what I like when I see it) but wildlife close-ups and wildlife in general is my passion. I think my problem is, I am just itching to get in closer tha...

rjlittlefield wrote:It might be an interesting experiment to post out a lesser crop too -- say, the entire fly's body in the same pixel count --Rik

Your wish is my command

This is also a crop of the same image.

Hi Dave. As you know, I am new at photography but I have been getting some decent results lately using the following settings (as advised by Karl), know where near what some of these other chaps are doing, but a giant leap for me. Handheld, Manual focus 60mm macro lens, ISO 200, Shutter 200, f/16, p...