Search found 251 matches

by dunksargent
Tue Oct 24, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Common Lizards Sun Basking
Replies: 4
Views: 2264

Re: Common Lizards Sun Basking

Marcepstein: Not safe to use extension tubes with SL 601 – tried Viltrox tubes and camera displayed 'error' . Sigma 100-400mm Contemporary has mixed reviews – fine if a good example obtained – mine is an excellent lens and very usable at full aperture.
by dunksargent
Tue Oct 24, 2023 10:05 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Common Lizards Sun Basking
Replies: 4
Views: 2264

Common Lizards Sun Basking

On 15 October 2023 I visited Langdyke Countryside Trust's, Swaddywell Nature Reserve near Peterborough UK. At this time of year, Swaddywell's Common Lizards regularly Sun bask on a rotting logs' habitat, prior to imminent group hibernation within the logs. The mid to late afternoon Sun was enhanced ...
by dunksargent
Thu Aug 24, 2023 8:01 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Pond Fauna Swaddywell Reserve Peterborough UK
Replies: 3
Views: 2080

Re: Pond Fauna Swaddywell Reserve Peterborough UK

Thank you Mark. Reed Beetles at Swaddywell are often too far from the pond edge to obtain good photos but can be seen within camera range if close focus binoculars are used for reconnaissance. They 'pop out' from under floating foliage, walking / running fairy quickly. Playing the % and taking a ser...
by dunksargent
Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:02 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Pond Fauna Swaddywell Reserve Peterborough UK
Replies: 3
Views: 2080

Re: Pond Fauna Swaddywell Reserve Peterborough UK

Additional Common Backswimmer photos taken at Swaddywell 20 August 2023 plus apparatus illustration

BW, dunk
by dunksargent
Wed Aug 23, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Pond Fauna Swaddywell Reserve Peterborough UK
Replies: 3
Views: 2080

Pond Fauna Swaddywell Reserve Peterborough UK

Currently experimenting photographing various pond creatures in habitat at Swaddywell Nature Reserve, Peterborough, UK. The pond is a well established water feature made using a large pondliner; pond area is approx 50ft x 25ft with max 5ft depth; pond fed by rainwater from adjacent large wooden cabi...
by dunksargent
Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:44 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Ivy Mining Bees (Colletes hederae)
Replies: 2
Views: 1030

Re: Ivy Mining Bees (Colletes hederae)

Thank you Mark. Yes they are fascinating insects and should be active until end of October — the last bees of the year in UK. IVY-BEE-1024-8636.jpg This specimen was photographed using a 1983 vintage Canon FD 200mm Macro lens (manual focus) adapted to a Leica CL APS-C digital compact. ISO 1600 f11 1...
by dunksargent
Sun Oct 02, 2022 6:35 am
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Grasshopper
Replies: 1
Views: 808

Grasshopper

My knowledge of grasshoppers is lacking — especially as regards their variations / colours within species. I suspect this specimen could be a Common Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus . A positive ID would be appreciated if an expert can please advise - thank you. Specimen landed on my plywood b...
by dunksargent
Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:55 am
Forum: Administrator's Appreciation Gallery...Macro and Close-up Images
Topic: Mantis deimatic display
Replies: 8
Views: 3896

Re: Mantis deimatic display

Superb image; TYVM for sharing. BW, dunk
by dunksargent
Fri Sep 30, 2022 1:50 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Ivy Mining Bees (Colletes hederae)
Replies: 2
Views: 1030

Ivy Mining Bees (Colletes hederae)

Ivy Mining Bees in limestone cliff habitat, Swaddywell Nature Reserve near Peterborough UK, 24 September 2022 Ivy-Mining-Bee-2078pxl-8310.jpg Female on cliff face Male-Ivy-Mining-Bee-8273.jpg Male inspecting nest holes Male-Ivy-Mining-Bee-Inspecting-Nest-8300.jpg Male about to enter nest hole — mayb...
by dunksargent
Sun Sep 25, 2022 2:15 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Greenbottle Blow Fly
Replies: 0
Views: 818

Greenbottle Blow Fly

Greenbottle Blow Fly 'sunning' on limestone cliff face. Photographed at Swaddywell Nature Reserve, Peterborough UK, 24 September 2022. A quick 'grab shot' whilst photographing Ivy Mining Bees. Nikon 1 J5 / Nikkor 70-300 VR / 72mm length Chinese extension tubes (taped together to prevent 'sag'); 300m...
by dunksargent
Fri Feb 18, 2022 4:09 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Common Wasp & German Wasp
Replies: 2
Views: 873

Re: Common Wasp & German Wasp

Thank you Mark ... It's surprising how useful the discontinued Nikon 1 system can be for photographing wasps i.e. with a relatively long lens to subject distance compared to M4/3, APS-C and FF formats

BW

dunk
by dunksargent
Tue Feb 08, 2022 5:24 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Common Wasp & German Wasp
Replies: 2
Views: 873

Common Wasp & German Wasp

Common Wasp and German Wasp both drinking on the same pond at Langdyke Countryside Trust's 'Swaddywell Nature Reserve' near Peterborough, Cambs. UK ... and note how the Common Wasp's legs are supported by water's surface tension .. I used to be able to describe surface tension in terms of water mole...
by dunksargent
Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:22 am
Forum: Equipment Exchange
Topic: Heads Up: Minolta 25/2.5 with Minolta bellows
Replies: 1
Views: 726

Heads Up: Minolta 25/2.5 with Minolta bellows

Scarce item might be of interest to a forum collector ... likely a 'badge engineered' Leitz Photar but has a nifty Minolta bellows.

https://www.ffordes.com/p/SH-42-044619/ ... lows-micro

If against forum rules please delete

BW

dunk
by dunksargent
Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:04 pm
Forum: Nature Photography -- Macro and Close-up
Topic: Weekend macros - II
Replies: 11
Views: 5186

Re: Weekend macros - II

Absolutely superb

dunk