Maybe I should bring a footstool with me when out photographing
Dec 14, 2017 12:12:21 #
First is a leaf-footed bug which looks to be Acanthocephala terminalis. Note the white Tachinid fly egg on the head which means this one is doomed. Bugs in this family are frequently parasitized.
Next is a lovely little moth, the American ermine moth (Yponomeuta multipunctella). Their larvae form communal webs on a few different plants, including Euonymus, or running strawberry.
The rest are pictures of some dragonflies. Most of these are very common species to me. My favorites to watch are the slaty skimmers (Libellula incesta). These hang out over water and are always flitting around and contesting perching sites with each other and with blue dashers. The two species have the same perching preference, which is about two feet above water, but the smaller blue dashers are pugnacious enough to hold their own pretty well. I often just sit at the waters’ edge to watch the drama. Slatys are easy to approach and photograph, but the twelve-spotted skimmers (Libellula pulchella) are less so. For one thing they are less inclined to allow one to get very close, but the main challenge is they prefer to perch higher off the ground so that most of my pictures are very fore-shortened. I see in BugGuide and elsewhere a lot of similar low angle pictures of this species as well. So I have this small collapsing stepstool that fits into my backpack, and maybe next season I should bring it with me into the field.
The dragonfly in the last picture had me very confused for a time. It is not a twelve spot as it is much too small, so I assumed it would be a female saddlebags because it is passingly similar and there were many males of that species flying around the area which was in my Magic Field. But it turns out that male and female saddlebags have similar wing patterns and not this wing pattern. Turns out to be a banded pennant (Celithemis fasciata). So I found three species of pennants in my Magic Field last summer! I am agog.
Next is a lovely little moth, the American ermine moth (Yponomeuta multipunctella). Their larvae form communal webs on a few different plants, including Euonymus, or running strawberry.
The rest are pictures of some dragonflies. Most of these are very common species to me. My favorites to watch are the slaty skimmers (Libellula incesta). These hang out over water and are always flitting around and contesting perching sites with each other and with blue dashers. The two species have the same perching preference, which is about two feet above water, but the smaller blue dashers are pugnacious enough to hold their own pretty well. I often just sit at the waters’ edge to watch the drama. Slatys are easy to approach and photograph, but the twelve-spotted skimmers (Libellula pulchella) are less so. For one thing they are less inclined to allow one to get very close, but the main challenge is they prefer to perch higher off the ground so that most of my pictures are very fore-shortened. I see in BugGuide and elsewhere a lot of similar low angle pictures of this species as well. So I have this small collapsing stepstool that fits into my backpack, and maybe next season I should bring it with me into the field.
The dragonfly in the last picture had me very confused for a time. It is not a twelve spot as it is much too small, so I assumed it would be a female saddlebags because it is passingly similar and there were many males of that species flying around the area which was in my Magic Field. But it turns out that male and female saddlebags have similar wing patterns and not this wing pattern. Turns out to be a banded pennant (Celithemis fasciata). So I found three species of pennants in my Magic Field last summer! I am agog.
Leaf footed bug
(Download)
American ermine moth
(Download)
Slaty skimmer (male)
(Download)
Twelve-spotted skimmer (young male)
(Download)
Twelve-spotted skimmer (mature male)
(Download)
Twelve-spotted skimmer (mature male)
(Download)
Banded pennant, female. Could have used a foot-stool here as well.
(Download)
Dec 14, 2017 12:20:33 #
I've been known to carry one of the three legged camp stools with me on macro outings.
Dec 14, 2017 12:39:26 #
rwilson1942 wrote:
I've been known to carry one of the three legged camp stools with me on macro outings.
I've been known to carry one of the three legged camp stools with me on macro outings.
There is the advantage of sitting down on it too. That would be a lot more comfortable.
Dec 14, 2017 18:59:32 #
I have a tiny and light 3 legged camp stool too, the dog and I take a picnic sometimes too. The problem is getting up off it with dignity.
Dec 14, 2017 22:35:16 #
Wonderful set. Carrying a stool is a little much what with all the gear I carry already. It certainly would help with macro, though.
Dec 15, 2017 00:15:34 #
kpmac wrote:
Wonderful set. Carrying a stool is a little much what with all the gear I carry already. It certainly would help with macro, though.
I seem to travel pretty light, lately. The backpack only has a few light odds and ends. This is the one I have: https://www.walmart.com/ip/E-Z-Foldz-Folding-Step-Stool/28499904
Dec 15, 2017 08:35:04 #
Mark,
Very nice work as per usual. I always enjoy your posts. I have attached two links to stools available (with many more) at Cabela's. I own the first one. The second looked interesting and may be a good choice to wet your toes without spending much money.
This is the stool I use in my blind while photographing wildlife. It's very comfortable, rugged and lightweight. The backrest is a plus if you spend a lot of time being very still.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=2031442&type=product&WT.z_btnclk=YMAL-2031442&WT.z_pg_ref=prd744976
This one is light and on sale to boot. With carrying strap.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-TRI-POD-STOOL/2416321.uts?slotId=3
Happy hunting.
Mr. B
Very nice work as per usual. I always enjoy your posts. I have attached two links to stools available (with many more) at Cabela's. I own the first one. The second looked interesting and may be a good choice to wet your toes without spending much money.
This is the stool I use in my blind while photographing wildlife. It's very comfortable, rugged and lightweight. The backrest is a plus if you spend a lot of time being very still.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=2031442&type=product&WT.z_btnclk=YMAL-2031442&WT.z_pg_ref=prd744976
This one is light and on sale to boot. With carrying strap.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-TRI-POD-STOOL/2416321.uts?slotId=3
Happy hunting.
Mr. B
Dec 15, 2017 08:41:36 #
Mr. B wrote:
This is the stool I use in my blind while photographing wildlife...
This is the stool I use in my blind while photographing wildlife...
Thank you. Sitting on occasion would be nice. But what I am considering here is something to stand on for those high-perching Odonates. The flaw in the idea is un-level ground, though.
Dec 15, 2017 08:52:20 #
Mark, I guess you will just have to tote along a longer focal length macro lens to give you that extra reach....LOL
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thank you. Sitting on occasion would be nice. But what I am considering here is something to stand on for those high-perching Odonates. The flaw in the idea is un-level ground, though.
Dec 15, 2017 08:53:08 #
I can relate Brenda...LOL
EnglishBrenda wrote:
I have a tiny and light 3 legged camp stool too, the dog and I take a picnic sometimes too. The problem is getting up off it with dignity.
Dec 15, 2017 09:00:51 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thank you. Sitting on occasion would be nice. But what I am considering here is something to stand on for those high-perching Odonates. The flaw in the idea is un-level ground, though.
Ooops! I misinterpreted your intended use. Sorry about that. Unlevel or soft ground is indeed a problem with standing stools or ladders. Ever consider stilts?
Dec 15, 2017 20:18:19 #
Fantastic set Mark. Very clear shots and nice detail in the downloads. Of course I love the dragon shots. Nice work.
-Doc
-Doc
Dec 16, 2017 22:35:24 #
Jan 7, 2018 07:06:40 #
naturepics43 wrote:
Super set! The moth is out standing. Well done.
Ditto... the female Banded pennant spins my wheels too.
Jan 7, 2018 09:54:43 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
There is the advantage of sitting down on it too. That would be a lot more comfortable.
I got one as a premium at a local double A baseball game. I use it if I'm surveying small wooded streams waiting for Emeralds and Spiketails that are patrolling.
-Doc
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