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In the spotlight
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In the spotlight

by Carolyn Derstine

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted January 21, 2014822 views9 comments
The sun filtering through the trees highlighted this little insect sitting on some oat grass. I think it is a type of mayfly, but not sure. I attempted to get the whole body in focus, but was unable to line up the focal plane to make that happen. So I just focused on those amazing eyes. . .which were also focused on me! :wink:

Canon 60D. 180mm macro lens. F/8 for 1/25 sec. ISO 1250. Tripod mounted, natural lighting.

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on January 21, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Love the light on the bug and oat grass, Carolyn, and the green bg is the perfect contrast for the big-eyed bug. Great capture. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on January 21, 2014 at 10:49 PM
This is really cool Carolyn. It is certainly a mayfly of some sort. Our bugs are different out west. Beautiful light and the detail on that little fellow is awesome. They are aquatic insects spending very little time out of the water, only to mate, rest and deposit their eggs. Then to lie spent on the water to feed some hungry trout, bird, or other amphibian. They are very delicate insects and you've captured it perfectly. :toast:
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 22, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Great use of the filtered light, a dramatic look at the Mayfly Carolyn.
Love all this contrasting green, nice point of focus on those all important EYEBALLS! :smile:
Well done! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 22, 2014 at 2:56 PM
I like the wonderful shadow/light effect and sharp where it needs to be, nice job in getting this.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Yun Gao on January 22, 2014 at 11:08 PM
Carolyn, I also like the spotlight and shadow here. Nice composition and color palette. Well done.
Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on January 23, 2014 at 8:11 AM
Looks like a mayfly ...but need to confirm. The comp is fine and yes the light on the bug is very nice

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 23, 2014 at 3:58 PM
I like the perspective with the depth of field centered on the eyes. The lighting is strong, yet delicate which goes perfectly with the subject matter.............................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on January 23, 2014 at 7:21 PM
Those eyes are amazing. Excellent bg color and very nice detail Great shot
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 23, 2014 at 9:49 PM
That eye is indeed dramatic and you've caught lots of detail in the insect and the sea oats seed head, Carolyn.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments