Search found 246 matches

by Eric F
Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:28 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Robberfly
Replies: 6
Views: 1800

I'm with Carmen & Rik: nice image Harald! The subject is not a robber fly though, but a snipe fly (Rhagionidae) -- and likely a species of the genus Rhagio.

Cheers, Eric
by Eric F
Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:55 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Hymenoptera?
Replies: 6
Views: 1811

As Rik has said, the beetle is a blister beetle, family Meloidae; specifically, it is Cysteodemus wislizeni.
by Eric F
Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:36 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: A Barn Funnel Weaver full spider added Feb 14
Replies: 12
Views: 4147

Really cool photo NU -- especially the stereo!
by Eric F
Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:46 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Leatherback biting fly
Replies: 5
Views: 1994

Yes, a robber fly: Promachus rufipes. Interesting technique.
by Eric F
Sun Jul 08, 2012 12:35 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: What is this?
Replies: 12
Views: 3577

I did have a special advantage with this particular subject! My job for many years with the State of California was to identify fruit flies (Tephritidae) and other diptera, looking for dangerous agricultural pests. As I mentioned above, the ovipositor is an important character in helping to identify...
by Eric F
Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:30 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: What is this?
Replies: 12
Views: 3577

Canonian, sorry to cut your 'what is this' short -- but I was sure that one of the many other entomologists on this site would 'scoop' me!

Nice photo; is your fly from the Netherlands or nearby? If so, I think it may be this fruit fly Tephritis bardanae, which is common in Europe.
by Eric F
Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:45 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: What is this?
Replies: 12
Views: 3577

It's part of the ovipositor of a female fruit fly (Tephritidae). The fruit-stabbing part (the "aculeus" -- pointed at the tip, beyond the photo) is on the right; the broader part, center and left, is the "oviscape" -- an eversible tube, which can unroll (it is partly unrolled now) and extend the len...
by Eric F
Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:06 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Fly
Replies: 2
Views: 1555

Yes, definitely a soldierfly Laurie. Maybe a Microchrysa sp.
by Eric F
Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:36 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum and Community Announcements
Topic: Ants in 3D: project begins to image every known species
Replies: 3
Views: 2427

Antweb is actually a project that has been ongoing for some years (see < http://www.antweb.org/ >), though maybe the part about adding the BMNH ant collection is new (?). Rick is exactly right: the project is based on stacking procedures quite familiar to our group. The scope of Antweb is amazing, i...
by Eric F
Mon May 21, 2012 12:39 pm
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: The Red Beard
Replies: 7
Views: 2505

"Fantastic colours - very well done": yes! How did you achieve the wonderful lighting?
by Eric F
Wed May 09, 2012 7:59 am
Forum: Technical and Studio Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Myrmica ants in a clinch - focus stack
Replies: 8
Views: 2754

Ouch!! Great photo!
by Eric F
Fri Mar 09, 2012 1:11 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Giant robber fly with blue wings
Replies: 9
Views: 2127

Wow! A beautiful female Microstylum sp. (not sure which species 'though). Looks like it is very fresh ('teneral') -- hasn't reached full coloration yet. Wonderful photo (as always!).

Eric
by Eric F
Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:21 pm
Forum: Beginners Macro
Topic: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM vs EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro
Replies: 9
Views: 7367

Hi Papakatz45, If money is not an issue (Yow!), then why not purchase the two lenses being discussed and add two more: the EF-S 60mm Macro and the MP-E 65 Macro? The EF-60 is excellent and allows much closer focusing than the 100 (to about .7x -- ca. 90mm); and the MP-E is the 'King of the Real Macr...
by Eric F
Sun Feb 19, 2012 2:15 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Another Velmex Rig
Replies: 13
Views: 14171

Hokan,

It looks like you have assembled a fabulous portable rig for macro and stacking work.

Eric
by Eric F
Sun Feb 19, 2012 2:09 pm
Forum: Equipment Discussions
Topic: Lomo 8/0.20 objective
Replies: 7
Views: 3309

Chris,

I think you've found a wonderful bargain!

Eric