‹ Previous Macro & Close-up Gallery Next ›

Pond Skater

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted March 5, 2017190 views9 comments

Pond Skater ( gerris spp. )
I literally spent a whole morning trying to do this blasted pond skater.
They sit on the surface and their two front palps feel vibration from prey on the water.They can really shift when they feel like it to.
In the end I used fill in flash off the camera.
Nice low POV for me-takes me three days to get up
D200 Sigma
Sigma 150 macro
60th @f22
400ISO
JohnR

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 5, 2017 at 4:11 PM

Yes, I've shot or (for a more accurate description) tried to shoot these little ones several times. They are hard, because they move almost constantly. You've got great clarity in the Skater and the metallic highlights are a special treat. Excellent work on a very challenging subject, John.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on March 5, 2017 at 4:18 PM

Thanks Mark - it would certainly have cost a fortune in film days !!
Cheers
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on March 5, 2017 at 4:24 PM

I have also tried to photograph these very elusive insects but without much success. Knowing how difficult it ism make this an even more remarkable image. Excellent! F-22 seems to bring out the sensor dust spots (or are those something on the surface of the pond?)

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on March 5, 2017 at 4:52 PM

Thanks Jim
I,ve just blown it up 3-1 and I can see some bunnies and bits on the water too.
Easily sort3ed.
Cheers
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on March 6, 2017 at 10:34 PM

John, I have never photographed these, but I can imagine the difficulties and the mosquito bites. Excellent details and beautiful metallic hue. Your perseverance paid off. Nicely done!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on March 6, 2017 at 11:37 PM

Nice gerrid bug John. Amazing how sharp this is. Nice work getting that angle also. Fantastic.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on March 7, 2017 at 5:23 AM

Thanks both.
Appreciated.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Hoveijn on March 7, 2017 at 4:54 PM

Never even tried to photograph these fast little creatures. Great work to catch it like this. Whole body in focus including the antennae. I like the metallic shine. The two Xes each consisting of a leg and the reflection of a leg are a nice graphic feature. I like it very much.

Registered on November 2, 2015, 18 Posts, 192 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 18, 2017 at 10:18 PM

Excellent, sharp image with great colours.
Congrats on the fine WP, John!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments