Posted by Paul Gibbs on August 23, 2008 at 2:25 PM
After getting some shots of common darters, i decided to yomp off to visit my local hawker sight, turns out the resi has been drained for repairs and not a hawker in sight... great after walking for 2 3/4 miles into the hills. On my way back i spotted two Kestrals hunting for what seem to be big ass bugs! (i'll post a 100% crop if anyone can ID the bug). I sat on the edge of a "colvert" and they seemed to be quartering the area. They got really close but the sky was going grey so i had a hard time getting any good shots, but i think this one works, the female with bug in tow. Its about a 6mp crop from the D2X.
Usual glass and ISO160 but had to denoise it due to the bright bg.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on August 23, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Very nice capture Paul, looks a little dark on my monitor, good work.
Re the bug ID, not knowing where your based I'll say either a Sexton beetle or a Cock Chafer ( might be too late in the year for the Chafer though )
Put me out of my misery and post the 100% crop
Andy...
Posted by Paul Gibbs on August 23, 2008 at 2:46 PM
As you can see its a bit soft but looks fine at A4. On reading my bug book (it has postit notes on the lavae as i have a phobia of them) i thikn its a dung beetle?
Btw i saw a sexton beetle on my yomp, much too small, it seemed to be covered in paracites to.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on August 23, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I bow to your greater Knowledge Paul, definitely a Dor Beetle ( Geotrupes Stercorarius )
That'll teach me to guess
Andy...
Posted by Paul Gibbs on August 23, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Andrew, It was a pure guess, btw Dor Beetles occure on Cattle dung, this was on the moors?
A good behavioural shot to have witnessed and captured. Nicely positioned bird in the frame.
Posted by Rob Howard on August 23, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Hi Paul,
It's a nice shot of the Kestrel, but there is a halo around the whole bird (that is easier to see in your 100% crop) not sure if this has occured through over sharpening (does not look like it) or maybe using fill light in CS?? Maybe try and re process? I don't think doing noise reduction would cause this?
Regards
Rob
Posted by Andy Shepherd on August 23, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Hi Paul, I've officially retired my self appointed roll as bug ID guy Dung Beetle it is
Andy...
Posted by eric weight on August 24, 2008 at 4:05 AM
That's a nice flight shot and the bug adds extra interest. I have to admit that I agree with Rob that the processing isn't quite spot on. I suspect it is just one of those shots that didn't quite have what it needed in the original file. A worthwhile shot to have nonetheless. Eric
Posted by Paul Gibbs on August 24, 2008 at 1:19 PM
I used a bit of shadow/hightlight to darken the cloud, i put a large radius on it but i thikn its due to this. I'll have a stab at doing it again.
Discussion
9 repliesUsual glass and ISO160 but had to denoise it due to the bright bg.
Very nice capture Paul, looks a little dark on my monitor, good work.
Re the bug ID, not knowing where your based I'll say either a Sexton beetle or a Cock Chafer ( might be too late in the year for the Chafer though )
Put me out of my misery and post the 100% crop
Andy...
Btw i saw a sexton beetle on my yomp, much too small, it seemed to be covered in paracites to.
I bow to your greater Knowledge Paul, definitely a Dor Beetle ( Geotrupes Stercorarius )
That'll teach me to guess
Andy...
It's a nice shot of the Kestrel, but there is a halo around the whole bird (that is easier to see in your 100% crop) not sure if this has occured through over sharpening (does not look like it) or maybe using fill light in CS?? Maybe try and re process? I don't think doing noise reduction would cause this?
Regards
Rob
Hi Paul, I've officially retired my self appointed roll as bug ID guy
Andy...