My wife found this Mantis in our Lavender in the evening, but I waited until early the next day to shoot it hoping that the cooler temps would slow it down. No such luck though. It was active and difficult to photograph. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in September of 2021.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
Mantis Portrait by John Kimbler, on Flickr
Mantis Portrait II by John Kimbler, on Flickr
A group of Sweat Bees set up camp in one of my Geranium flowers. They like to sleep under the leaves in groups, and the plant seems to offer them some good protection. I checked on them after a heavy thunderstorm and they seemed to be OK. They are called Sweat Bees because some of them are attracted to the minerals in your sweat. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in August of 2021.
Possibly Halictus sexcinctus.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
Resting Sweat Bee by John Kimbler, on Flickr
This is a European Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium florentinum) that was snoozing in my Lavender. For this shot I focused on the leading edge of the bee's face and then twisted my wrist to push the top of the frame deeper into the scene. The result is a "magic angle" that creates the illusion that there is a lot of depth. Those three orbs on the critter's forehead are simple eyes, and it is thought that they are used to help maintain stability while flying.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
Snoozing European Wool Carder Bee by John Kimbler, on Flickr
On windy days critters like this Sweat Bee do not notice when I grab onto the stem of the Sourgrass Flower that it is foraging in. So I was able to get a shot of her collecting pollen. Image taken in Bacoli, Italy in April of 2020.
Halictidae Lasioglossum
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
Foraging Sweat Bee by John Kimbler, on Flickr
Another Critter Mix Part II
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
Re: Another Critter Mix Part II
Great stuff! The diffused lighting works really well.
The Mantis could be straight out of a 50s sci-fi scare em movie poster.
Well done!
The Mantis could be straight out of a 50s sci-fi scare em movie poster.
Well done!
Re: Another Critter Mix Part II
Thanks!
Re: Another Critter Mix Part II
very nice
- MarkSturtevant
- Posts: 1946
- Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:52 pm
- Location: Michigan, U.S.A.
- Contact:
Re: Another Critter Mix Part II
Another great set!
For praying mantids, its the males that are especially difficult, while the females can be persuaded to sit still if left alone without stimulus.
For praying mantids, its the males that are especially difficult, while the females can be persuaded to sit still if left alone without stimulus.
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters
Dept. of Still Waters
Re: Another Critter Mix Part II
Thanks for the feedback!MarkSturtevant wrote: ↑Sat Sep 25, 2021 7:13 pmAnother great set!
For praying mantids, its the males that are especially difficult, while the females can be persuaded to sit still if left alone without stimulus.