There are quite a few of these 'hoppers living on geraniums (not in flower just yet) in my Northamptonshire garden (England). Species is Agallia consobrina - not sure of gender? Size is a little under 5mm. This is one of the more photographically accommodating species that simply crawls around a bit...

A very interesting subject. I love the complex shape and elaborate textures of the exoskeleton - well camouflaged too. Considering this is a live insect taken in natural conditions I think you've done a pretty good job with it. This is a really good image Staffan and most definitely worth tweaking a...

Jumping spiders make great macro subjects - and how much better when you can document unexpected behaviour with good photos and interesting observation.

Is this a cavity wall insulation hole Daan (just wondered if he was making use of the insulating material?

Bruce

Very natural looking "partial shade" shot Ken.

This plant looks a lot like Muscari - if it is then it's a member of the Lily family.

Bruce

Edit: I've just been told by the family gardener (my wife) that Muscari is also called Grape Hyacinth (and you can see why ).

Rik - Both the English and the Irish understand the word fiddle as it applies to a musical instrument (in fact it figures very prominently in Irish folk music). I've just never heard it used to descripe an unfolding fern leaf. I can see why it's come to be used in this context of course - the fern i...

Super stack Laurie - your technique certainly works well in avoiding unnatural and distracting shadows. Subject is nicely dust free too.

I'm amazed that the mite started to revive after two days in a freezer (-18ish degrees?). Did it fully revive eventually?

Bruce

I like both pics Ken. I like the subjects, their colouring and their composition and I find them artistically pleasing to boot. You know, I've never heard the term "fiddlehead" before - and I like it and I'm gonna use it first chance I get. I don't know if it's an Americanism (you're a great country...

Hi Steve, it's been a while since our posts have crossed .

A very professional, super-clean stack with plenty of interesting detail to explore and enjoy. Any chance of seeing a pic of the complete insect?


Bruce

Ah-ha.....I'd initially missed Ken's line about the dirt road and so was most impressed at Rik's almost mystical ability to identify the oof background as a dirt road .

Yes, you did well to spot the artistic possibilities there Ken.

Bruce

Markus - You've done an excellent job with the lighting and exposure on this very difficult subject - in fact there's an almost total absence of burnt out highlights. I also like the viewpoint of this shot - it gives much more sense of life than the more usual dorsal view and still manages to show m...

Nicely cropped composition Ken - I suspect you've done a bit of work on this one as the colours and lighting harmonise so well with the subject.

Bruce

Markus - Thanks for posting your dragonfly set-up. I have a Nikon D300 and use Kenko extension tubes (3 tubes totalling 68mm) on my Nikon 105mm macro lens. Normally I use 36mm or 48mm of extension. Anyway, I have never thought to try using the extension tubes with normal zoom lenses in this way. I'v...

Thank you all for your interest and helpful comments. On the strength of the consensus view on ID, I've taken a closer look at a (not very good) lateral image that I'd shot of this same insect. It clearly (well maybe fuzzily :D ) shows that the insect possesses a rostrum, so it is clearly a Hemipter...

Jaw dropping work Michael - hope to read more about equipment and technique.

Bruce

Another fascinating glimpse at the secret life of flowers Rik and yes, the pollen does look more like the sticky variety doesn't it. Have you had a look at the pollen grains under a microscope?

Lovely vibrant colours.

Bruce