Hi to Mark and Estonian girl friend (also taking macro pics) who I met today in Salcey Forest (UK). I'm sorry I didn't catch your name but do hope you decide to join the forum and post some of your flower pics.
There was very little to be seen today probably due the very heavy rainfall we've had recently.
Most of the time harsh sunlight doesn’t help much in terms of image quality but here IMO it contributes nicely to this clean and well defined capture. Lots of detail in the hairy area between the wings. Well done Bruce. Hope your friends will find their way the the forums.
Best,
Sven
If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you're not out there, you'll only hear about it. - Jay Maisel
Sven - yes the pic was taken in bright mid-afternoon sunlight (a rare breakthrough) needing exposure comp of -1 stop.
Dave - Thanks for the link (and on-links) and for your help on identification - yes it sure looks like a Marmalade Hoverfly (what a super name though!).
Nikola - the large, bright viewfinder was the deciding factor on my decision to go for the D80 - it was close though.
Doug - Yes, and the tiger stripes are even more beautiful from above but unfortunately I didn't get any keepers from that angle (this time).
DaveW wrote:
Looks like a MARMALADE HOVERFLY Episyrphus balteatus
I don't think I want it spread on my bread, thank you very much! :-)
Bruce, good job here. I also have taken some fairly decent high f/stop insect shots in bright mid-day light. The flash gives you a chance to minimize some of the harshness. You never get the incredible or awesome lighting effects this way, but you can get some good clean shots, as this one proves.
Mike Broderick
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Constructive critiques of my pictures, and reposts in this forum for purposes of critique are welcome
"I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul....My mandate includes weird bugs."
--Calvin
