The first pictures of a “new” season
Feb 2, 2022 11:02:17 #
Actually the previous season, since I am almost a year behind in processing pictures.
Last April, the photography season began for me with this European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) that emerged from hibernation on the front porch. It was still quite cold, so she was motionless most of the time. I was very glad to see her, although the species is invasive and problematical in the U.S. I even broke out the tripod and Helicon FB tube to do some serious stacking under diffused natural lighting (under the porch). This picture was made from over 100 pictures, and for me that is a lot. The olde 100mm macro lens was boosted with a Raynox diopter lens.
An early spring focus stack by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Another stack, assisted with gentle use of a flash. I rather like this one better. Its from over 40 pictures.
European paper wasp by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
The first outing from that time brought a few finds. The most interesting was this ground spider (Gnaphosidae), which is a family of free roaming spiders that include some ant mimics, although I am not sure if this is one of those. This is Zelotes fratris, and the picture is from a hand held focus stack of maybe 6 or 7 pictures. Note the velvet mite photo bomb.
Ground spider by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
I will allow myself one non-macro. Here is what I think is a very young bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). There is also the closely related green frog in my area, and I am not 100% sure what this one is. Bullfrogs have a distinct ridge that comes from the back corner of the eye and wraps around their ear, like this one, while in green frogs the ridge continues down the back. Both become very large "I'm going to eat you" sized frogs. But this little one was barely an inch long.
Young bullfrog by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
I was rather hoping to find Michigans' rattlesnake in the park I was in, but no luck yet. Every person I meet on the trails will say "yeah, I see them here every year", and seriously it should be my turn! I did see a lot of garter snakes, though, but could not get decent pictures.
Thanks for looking!
Last April, the photography season began for me with this European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) that emerged from hibernation on the front porch. It was still quite cold, so she was motionless most of the time. I was very glad to see her, although the species is invasive and problematical in the U.S. I even broke out the tripod and Helicon FB tube to do some serious stacking under diffused natural lighting (under the porch). This picture was made from over 100 pictures, and for me that is a lot. The olde 100mm macro lens was boosted with a Raynox diopter lens.
An early spring focus stack by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAnother stack, assisted with gentle use of a flash. I rather like this one better. Its from over 40 pictures.
European paper wasp by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThe first outing from that time brought a few finds. The most interesting was this ground spider (Gnaphosidae), which is a family of free roaming spiders that include some ant mimics, although I am not sure if this is one of those. This is Zelotes fratris, and the picture is from a hand held focus stack of maybe 6 or 7 pictures. Note the velvet mite photo bomb.
Ground spider by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrI will allow myself one non-macro. Here is what I think is a very young bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). There is also the closely related green frog in my area, and I am not 100% sure what this one is. Bullfrogs have a distinct ridge that comes from the back corner of the eye and wraps around their ear, like this one, while in green frogs the ridge continues down the back. Both become very large "I'm going to eat you" sized frogs. But this little one was barely an inch long.
Young bullfrog by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrI was rather hoping to find Michigans' rattlesnake in the park I was in, but no luck yet. Every person I meet on the trails will say "yeah, I see them here every year", and seriously it should be my turn! I did see a lot of garter snakes, though, but could not get decent pictures.
Thanks for looking!
Feb 2, 2022 11:39:11 #
Stunning series and I always enjoy the educational narratives. Thanks for sharing your ground spider for I have yet to see one.
Feb 2, 2022 12:10:55 #
Feb 2, 2022 12:36:15 #
Feb 2, 2022 17:52:35 #
Feb 2, 2022 18:13:19 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Wonderful set Mark. I envy you the ability to handhold a focus stack.
Thank you! handheld stacks require firm bracing. The resulting pictures are not aligned but the stacking software does its best to fix that.
Feb 3, 2022 06:49:17 #
Feb 3, 2022 07:14:26 #
Excellent set Mark!! And thank you for pointing out the photo bombing velvet mite. I probably would not have noticed as all my attention was on the spider.
Feb 3, 2022 08:38:12 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.