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Some of my pictures of insects and spiders
May 14, 2020 07:35:06 #
I have been photographing insects and spiders (and other critters) as a hobby for about 5 years now. The pictures are basically in chronological order, with the oldest showing first. I hope you like them.
To begin, here one of my first pictures that came off pretty well. This queen carpenter ant was preparing to fly away to start her new nest. Photographed with a Canon t5i and a nifty fifty on extension tubes. Light from the pop-up flash was diffused with translucent plastic from a milk jug. Those were the days!
Queen carpenter ant by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next is an aging tiger swallowtail from my garden which visited every day over several days. Some pictures deserve a name, and this one is "Resilience".
Resilience. by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
A side hobby was to raise various kinds of giant 'Saturniid' moths from eggs. Of course that means giant caterpillars. Here are caterpillars called hickory horned devils. They get big!
HIckory horned devil by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Hickory horned devil larvae (Citheronia regalis) by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
And this is the adult moth.
Royal moth by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Many other species of giant moths can be raised, and its easy to do so. These are kept on black walnut leaves. Eggs or pupae can be purchased thru the mail, and I can tell you where to look if anyone wants to have a go at it.
I will wrap this one up with a picture that still cheers me up. This little katydid was just sitting in front of purple aster flowers, and it let me take all the pictures I wanted. They are normally very wily.
Short-winged meadow katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis) by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
To begin, here one of my first pictures that came off pretty well. This queen carpenter ant was preparing to fly away to start her new nest. Photographed with a Canon t5i and a nifty fifty on extension tubes. Light from the pop-up flash was diffused with translucent plastic from a milk jug. Those were the days!
Queen carpenter ant by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNext is an aging tiger swallowtail from my garden which visited every day over several days. Some pictures deserve a name, and this one is "Resilience".
Resilience. by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrA side hobby was to raise various kinds of giant 'Saturniid' moths from eggs. Of course that means giant caterpillars. Here are caterpillars called hickory horned devils. They get big!
HIckory horned devil by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrHickory horned devil larvae (Citheronia regalis) by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAnd this is the adult moth.
Royal moth by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrMany other species of giant moths can be raised, and its easy to do so. These are kept on black walnut leaves. Eggs or pupae can be purchased thru the mail, and I can tell you where to look if anyone wants to have a go at it.
I will wrap this one up with a picture that still cheers me up. This little katydid was just sitting in front of purple aster flowers, and it let me take all the pictures I wanted. They are normally very wily.
Short-winged meadow katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis) by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThanks for looking!
May 14, 2020 07:52:44 #
May 14, 2020 08:11:18 #
Wow, those are really well done and enjoyable. The caterpillars on your hand is a bit of a shocker and took me a bit by surprise, pleasantly. Thanks for sharing!
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May 14, 2020 08:11:31 #
Beachhawk wrote:
Great shot of the katydid. She apparently enjoyed your attention.
Thank you.
May 14, 2020 08:12:00 #
PaulBrit
Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon
They are fascinating and incredibly sharp. What camera and what lens are you using?
May 14, 2020 08:36:18 #
May 14, 2020 08:40:42 #
PaulBrit wrote:
They are fascinating and incredibly sharp. What camera and what lens are you using?
Thank you. these were all taken with the Canon t5i, and early ones with an ordinary 50mm on extension tubes. But most of these are after I had switched to the Canon 100mm macro. I don't use a tripod, preferring instead to something simpler like a 'steadying stick' which is just a thin wood pole in my left hand, and the lens resting on that hand.
May 14, 2020 08:41:39 #
Wow! I have a lot of practice in front of me to get such beautiful photographs.
May 14, 2020 08:57:32 #
May 14, 2020 09:19:29 #
PaulBrit
Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Thank you. these were all taken with the Canon t5i, and early ones with an ordinary 50mm on extension tubes. But most of these are after I had switched to the Canon 100mm macro. I don't use a tripod, preferring instead to something simpler like a 'steadying stick' which is just a thin wood pole in my left hand, and the lens resting on that hand.
Thank you, Mark. Your ‘steadying stick’, as you put it, certainly works a treat and your macro lens is the answer. Beautiful photos!
May 14, 2020 10:21:21 #
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May 14, 2020 13:16:52 #
Nalu wrote:
Wow, those are really well done and enjoyable. The caterpillars on your hand is a bit of a shocker and took me a bit by surprise, pleasantly. Thanks for sharing!
He already mentioned that in the post, Canon rebel with nifty fifty!
May 14, 2020 13:31:22 #
May 14, 2020 13:39:22 #
May 15, 2020 05:48:02 #
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