This is a magnified view of the underwing area of a brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). They are here by the bushel so why not. The triangular feature with all of the tiny holes with balloon like protrusions in them is known as the 'scutellum'.

There are two wings folded and covered for protection by the 'elytra', both of which are out of the field of the magnified view. What is visible however is the lovely patterned area that can only be seen when the insect is in flight which means that it most likely is never seen...at least in a detailed view.

The edits are in. At this time we will not be accepting any more edits. You can now begin to vote for the edits. All the edits are contained in a dropbox folder. The link for that folder is provided below. Click on the link and then decide which edit you like the best. When you have made your choice, post the number of that edit in this thread. On Sunday at 9 PM we will make the results of the voting known. We will also post the winning edit so that you can see it without having to go back to the dropbox folder.

The time frame for submitting photos and edits will remain the same:

Votes will be tallied on Sunday at 9PM. (winners should try to post an original for us to work on as soon as possible.)
Edits will be accepted until Thursday at 9 PM. No edits will be accepted after 9 PM Eastern.
3. All edits and originals will be presented in Dropbox. That will happen on THursday after 9 PM. Below is the link to the dropbox folder.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vi041n21nvihmj1/AABJ9u-kmq8uXyMzje9afPota?dl=0

Again my thanks go out to all of you who have labored to provide us with edits to vote on. Thank you, and know that your efforts are appreciated.

Erich

This is a Ailanthus Webworm Moth that I captured by porch light and staged for a focus stacking session. These moths often look like tiny brightly colored flower due to their patterns.

Their larvae are slender and brownish with lengthwise stripes and sparse, straight, medium-length hairs. They live communally in webs in Ailanthus Trees. The larvae live in clusters of silky webs and they eat the leaves of the these trees.

The Ailanthus Tree might be the most dangerous invasive exotic plant to the native North American ecosystem. Once it becomes established, it takes over, crowding out all other species. Unfortunately the caterpillars do not do lasting damage to the trees.

I was taking the trash carts out to the curb and this cute large eyed fly was persistent to land on the lid. Because I am most often carry an empty plastic pill bottle in my pocket it worked out good for me and not so good for it.

As I walked into the house with my prize, a housefly was walking on the kitchen countertop and the two of them became good friends for the short time that they had remaining before staging them for focus stacking sessions.

I've learned from my days as a Scout..."Always be prepared".

The edits are in. At this time we will not be accepting any more edits. You can now begin to vote for the edits. All the edits are contained in a dropbox folder. The link for that folder is provided below. Click on the link and then decide which edit you like the best. When you have made your choice, post the number of that edit in this thread. On Sunday at 9 PM we will make the results of the voting known. We will also post the winning edit so that you can see it without having to go back to the dropbox folder.

The time frame for submitting photos and edits will remain the same:

Votes will be tallied on Sunday at 9PM. (winners should try to post an original for us to work on as soon as possible.)
Edits will be accepted until Thursday at 9 PM. No edits will be accepted after 9 PM Eastern.
3. All edits and originals will be presented in Dropbox. That will happen on THursday after 9 PM. Below is the link to the dropbox folder.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vi041n21nvihmj1/AABJ9u-kmq8uXyMzje9afPota?dl=0

Again my thanks go out to all of you who have labored to provide us with edits to vote on. Thank you, and know that your efforts are appreciated.

Erich

This is a longhorn beetle that I acquired by the porch light the other night that I staged for a focus stacking session. The antenna are what gave it the name, "longhorn" for they are amazingly long for the size of the beetle with a body that is about 3/8-inch in length and antenna that are three-inches end to end.

The larvae are considered "wood bores" where they are a pest damaging trees. The adults are more beneficial for they munch on decaying woody plants and play an important part in enriching the woodlands.

Keeping in the spirit of my series of dandelions, this is an often seen image that many have taken so this is my attempt at the "Water Drop on top of the Dandelion Clock".

We start by taking a single dandelion seed with the clock still attached and using a pair of fine tweezers stick it into a dab of plasticine modeling clay.

The next part is simple yet takes a steady hand and perhaps several attempts. Draw a bit of water in a hypodermic syringe and needle and carefully and gently place a drop onto the clock. The clock has a flat surface so the water drop will balance there.

Then, with the camera already staged and focused, take the shot using illumination of your choice. Colored gels placed on the flash or lamps will add interest and drama to the shot although I did not do it this time.

By the way...the best place to get colored gel is at a craft store where it comes in rolls of colored cellophane used for gift wrapping and other craft uses. Very inexpensive, large assortment of colors and a roll will last a lifetime.