This is always like Christmas to me. You may never be sure what you are getting till you get it.
Some spiders overwinter as eggs. The Argiope is one. These egg cases do not look like Web builders egg cases. To me.
Look close at the jumbled mess of silk around the case. These look to be beaten to the ground over the winter. Good, better protected now. These are, in my belief, Nursery Web spiders. Pisauridae.
While most emerge and hibernate as Spiderlings, many do not, and this egg case fits them. I would go so far as to say Dolomedes sp.
Bill

I would keep them. At worst you get a lot of spiders to turn loose. At best, who knows what parasite.
Jar and nylon stocking and rubber band lid.
Bill

I agree with this assessment. I have four ae-1p. I use two. They were popular for a reason, the photos are beautiful. Point and shoot simplicity.
About fifty dollars for film and processing per roll.You get 4x6 prints and a CD. And maybe your negatives. Slides are especially clear.
I use Mike's Camera in Boulder for processing. Buy 36 shot rolls. Development cost is per roll, so save $ that way.
If you keep this and anyone else wants one, I would let one or two go for a fair price, batteries, lenses, winders, databacks and more.
RSVP personal.
This is again, a fine piece of equipment. "A real camera" a lady called mine.
Bill

Me again.
Your grasshopper. The family Tetrigidae, Pigmy Grasshoppers. Unusual in that they over winter as adults. Very early spring finds. They average about 16mm in total length. The pronotum extends just beyond wings and abdomen so they look wingless. Winged, and they fly well. Barren, bare soil interspaceds with weeds favorite habitat. Sunbathe this time of year, (exothermic).
Not uncommon, but not often seen. Good eye and shots. Just finding this stuff is a science, much less getting a good picture.
Bill

I am getting gun-shy about getting into a position where I offer conjecture. That said, I will stick to what I know.
Both beetles are longhorns beetles. Likley Anoplodera sp. Possibly nitens and próxima, in that order. A lot of species of these, and spring emergents. The body similarity is obvious. This frow Dillon and Dillon Beetles.
Bill

To all, I appreciate Gary's appreciation, so a good trade.
Bill

This is the 'odd' Cerambicid. The antenna are short.
When I first found one about 50 years it was(I believe) Ragium inquisitor.
Now it is Stenocorus inquisitor. It feeds on Viburnum as adult. A conifer borer as larva. Found in pine logs, usually at the stage the bark has loosened. The larva form a 30mm ring of frass between wood and bark in which to pupate. Very early spring emergent. I posted these a few months back, larva, pupa and adult. Rarely found unless looked for.
Bark is pine.
Gary, knowing you repaired these digitally makes this all the better.
To everyone, these arrived in rough shape from transit. I had packed carefully, but not enough. Next time, Gary, I will make a small WOODEN
box.
Gary reconstructed them before posting.
He may explain how. By the way, 8Dec. was date of my post of these.
Bill

Republic of Albania.
Clean, nice shots.

No one is strange. Just different.
A long time learning that.
Bill

When all was said and done, velvet is seemingly the best for a plain background. No reflection, no refraction, no distraction. If black velvet is good enough for pictures of Elvis, it has to be good.
Bill

Maybe your own should have been make your own, (ginger, water, sugar, yeast. Ferment a week). Good for what ails you.
Bill

I noticed that, no US sellers. But, I have bought that way and have had good experience. Once a lens was not as ordered, I got a refund, appology and a keep the lens note. eBay protects your money. A few dollar or two items lost, but tracking with higher prices items and no problems. A bonus. English translation can be a hoot in the email.
Just a FYI. Bill

Two 35 mm Canon FD on Ebay now under 225. Most much higher.

And this can be found much cheaper. Like it, THEN upgrade.
Bill

I, and all of macro regulars might take issue with your remark that all pictures but no or little useful information from members in macro.
👎☹️
Bill