Insects and a Flower
Jul 28, 2023 23:01:51 #
I took these photos this morning before the wind came up along with the heat. Some insects are pretty common and some I have never seen before. I like these and really like the mayfly. He was incredibly tiny but the focus seems spot on. I hope you enjoy them too.
Dennis
Dennis
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Jul 29, 2023 01:00:06 #
Good advantage taken of the early morning calm, it is one of the best times of the day in Summer.
Jul 29, 2023 02:21:29 #
Jul 29, 2023 09:44:32 #
EnglishBrenda wrote:
Good advantage taken of the early morning calm, it is one of the best times of the day in Summer.
Thank you very much Brenda for taking a look and commenting. Yes the morning can be very productive.
Dennis
Jul 29, 2023 09:45:40 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Great set Dennis. How do you get those house flies to sit still for you?
Thank you very much. My thinking tells me by the time they get to me they are so tired of flitting about they just need a break. They do not stay still for long though.
Dennis
Jul 29, 2023 10:33:30 #
dennis2146 wrote:
I took these photos this morning before the wind came up along with the heat. Some insects are pretty common and some I have never seen before. I like these and really like the mayfly. He was incredibly tiny but the focus seems spot on. I hope you enjoy them too.
Dennis
Dennis
Jul 29, 2023 10:34:57 #
kpmac wrote:
Thank you kpmac for the thumbs up and a smile. Your comments are always appreciated.
Dennis
Jul 29, 2023 11:21:04 #
Jul 29, 2023 11:37:05 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
Job well done. Put the mayfly on a hook..!
Thank you sippy. I was thinking the same thing. That one might be my best mayfly yet.
Dennis
Jul 30, 2023 12:52:26 #
dennis2146 wrote:
I took these photos this morning before the wind came up along with the heat. Some insects are pretty common and some I have never seen before. I like these and really like the mayfly. He was incredibly tiny but the focus seems spot on. I hope you enjoy them too.
Dennis
Dennis
Fantastic set!! Dennis
Jul 30, 2023 13:22:21 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
Fantastic set!! Dennis
Thank you Frank. Much appreciated.
Dennis
Jul 30, 2023 20:46:43 #
Some nice things here!
So first off, your tiny mayfly is a male 'minnow mayfly'. Males have these crazy compound eyes, which you can see in the enlargement below. They use the big turret eyes to look for females. That is a cool find! If you leave your porch light on you may have a bunch of them the next morning. Females don't have the weird eyes, and they seem to outnumber the males.
The other that interests me especially is the wasp at the end. That is a sand wasp. These are solitary wasps that dig a burrow in open areas of sand or dirt, and they stock the burrow with paralyzed insects. Their preferred prey will depend on the species of wasp. So if you have an open area area nearby, look for sand wasps flitting back and forth at break-neck speed. No need to fear them (in case I need to say that). They are 100% unaggressive and indifferent to us humans.
Their burrow entrance will be a small hole in the ground that is distinctly slanted, and there may be several burrows. With some luck you can find one excavating their burrow, and then you will have a chance for a good close up. If you try to get close while they can see you, they will just fly away. But if a wasp has entered its burrow you can quickly get down on the ground next to it, camera ready and focused on the entrance. When it comes out, as long as you don't move it will just think you are part of the scenery. Sand wasps are beautiful, up close.
So first off, your tiny mayfly is a male 'minnow mayfly'. Males have these crazy compound eyes, which you can see in the enlargement below. They use the big turret eyes to look for females. That is a cool find! If you leave your porch light on you may have a bunch of them the next morning. Females don't have the weird eyes, and they seem to outnumber the males.
The other that interests me especially is the wasp at the end. That is a sand wasp. These are solitary wasps that dig a burrow in open areas of sand or dirt, and they stock the burrow with paralyzed insects. Their preferred prey will depend on the species of wasp. So if you have an open area area nearby, look for sand wasps flitting back and forth at break-neck speed. No need to fear them (in case I need to say that). They are 100% unaggressive and indifferent to us humans.
Their burrow entrance will be a small hole in the ground that is distinctly slanted, and there may be several burrows. With some luck you can find one excavating their burrow, and then you will have a chance for a good close up. If you try to get close while they can see you, they will just fly away. But if a wasp has entered its burrow you can quickly get down on the ground next to it, camera ready and focused on the entrance. When it comes out, as long as you don't move it will just think you are part of the scenery. Sand wasps are beautiful, up close.
Jul 31, 2023 08:29:17 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Some nice things here! br So first off, your tiny... (show quote)
Mark I cannot tell you how much of an invaluable service you perform not just for me but for other members as well. When I saw the picture of the Mayfly the first thing I noticed was the HUGE eyes. Of course I had no idea the information you just shared but did recognize it as something different I had never seen before.
The sand wasp was on flowers on the neighbor's side of the fence. I was leaning over the chain link fence doing my best to get sharp photos. I failed in that regard, sharpness, but was happy to get something recognizable. He was the only one I have seen but now will look for others and then their burrows. It would be incredible to watch a burrow and photograph who comes in and out.
Thank you again for your knowledge of everything critter like.
Dennis
Jul 31, 2023 14:53:16 #
Jul 31, 2023 16:37:55 #
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