Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

One subject I’ve had in mind for some time for a serious focus stacking session is the local species of ambush bug (Phymata pennsylvanica). These are weird assassin bugs that use their cryptic textures and colors to conceal themselves on flowers, where they wait patiently to make a meal of a visiting insect. It does not seem to matter much who makes a one-way trip to the flower, since they are capable of killing insects many times their size and even stinging insects are no match for them. What is of note here is that they sit still for long periods, and that makes them an attractive subject for focus stacking.
So I retrieved one from the flowers in our back garden, and set it up on the patio table for several stacking sessions. A tripod mounted camera was used, plus a macro lens supplemented with a Raynox diopter lens. Lighting was a combination of natural light and LED lights. Each final picture was made from about 3 dozen focus bracketed pictures. Focus bracketing was done with the Helicon Fb tube, and the pictures were assembled in Zerene stacker. Finally, touch ups were done in Gimp.
There were a lot more final pictures than what is shown here, since I sort of went mental with trying out different lighting and other settings.
Focus stacked ambush bug by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Focus stacked ambush bug by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Focus stacked ambush bug by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Focus stacked ambush bug by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Cheers!

Quixdraw Loc: x

Excellent! Had bunches of these last year, haven't even seen one this year.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Very nice Mark! I especially like the two with the spikey red flowers.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thank you!
The flower is a purple cone flower that was past its prime, 'requisitioned' from the garden.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Great set.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Well done! Excellent poser! You may have a friend for life.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Super work, Mark!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Mark, your knowledge, camera skills and patience have all come together making this an excellent series. These fellows are so good at blending in that they are seldom seen, which is what Mother Nature had in mind for them.

Thanks for sharing your work.

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

Marvelous images. Thanks for sharing.