Posted by Barry Southon on April 3, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Inspired by you er bugs specialist I took a walk with my 1D3 and a canon 180mm ok hand held and I'm still learning and this was a chance encounter the poor bug on the back was flagging so was hitching a lift. Or is spring in the air?
No idea what the bugs are I just hope they had a good day.
By no means a bad effort. They're a nice looking pair of beetles, but I'm not sure of the ID. Were they taken in the UK?
In terms of critique it would be useful to see your shooting info. A bit more DOF would have helped to get both beetles in focus. My other tip would be to get down lower, with your camera on the ground in this case to get more of a side view. A bit of fill flash could have helped to lift the shadows as well.
Good one. Agree with Matts comments.
Looks like Anaglyptus mysticus- one of the wasp beetle types, but not seen it in the UK myself.
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Barry Southon on April 4, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Thanks Matt & John
I should have been more specific with the details taken yesterday in Kansas alnogside Milford Lake. If you cast a shadow they are off so I still need to practice field technique.
ISO 800 180mm f/8.0 1/1500 sec handheld I'll have another go today using ring flash.
This was another one again no idea of species having searched the web.
I still need to work out how to get head on without flushing them.
Nice behavioural shot, spring is definitely in the air! You did well to get the shot, as they are a very active, flighty animal!
These are Tiger beetles, Cicindela species. I've had a quick look through my copy of 'A field guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada' and they look like Cicindela tranquebarica, of which there are two subspecies in Kansas (C.t.tranquebarica and C.t. kirbyi). Though I wouldn't put money on this as there are about 20 species of tiger beetle in Kansas, and they are quite variable (second beetle could even be the same species!) There are some good websites on US tiger beetles if you know what to search for (and the book is good if you're that interested).
Thanks guy's I returned today all prepared to get down and dirty and found ziltch not one species changed of wind direction and mid 80's perhaps next week.
Discussion
8 repliesNo idea what the bugs are I just hope they had a good day.
I do like this macro whats it.
Critique, Advice and comments most welcome.
Thanks for looking.
By no means a bad effort. They're a nice looking pair of beetles, but I'm not sure of the ID. Were they taken in the UK?
In terms of critique it would be useful to see your shooting info. A bit more DOF would have helped to get both beetles in focus. My other tip would be to get down lower, with your camera on the ground in this case to get more of a side view. A bit of fill flash could have helped to lift the shadows as well.
Matt
Looks like Anaglyptus mysticus- one of the wasp beetle types, but not seen it in the UK myself.
Cheers
JohnR
I should have been more specific with the details taken yesterday in Kansas alnogside Milford Lake. If you cast a shadow they are off so I still need to practice field technique.
ISO 800 180mm f/8.0 1/1500 sec handheld I'll have another go today using ring flash.
This was another one again no idea of species having searched the web.
I still need to work out how to get head on without flushing them.
Nice behavioural shot, spring is definitely in the air! You did well to get the shot, as they are a very active, flighty animal!
These are Tiger beetles, Cicindela species. I've had a quick look through my copy of 'A field guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada' and they look like Cicindela tranquebarica, of which there are two subspecies in Kansas (C.t.tranquebarica and C.t. kirbyi). Though I wouldn't put money on this as there are about 20 species of tiger beetle in Kansas, and they are quite variable (second beetle could even be the same species!) There are some good websites on US tiger beetles if you know what to search for (and the book is good if you're that interested).
Greg
I know how fast our species of Tiger Beetle is Barry, so congrats on the capture. The colours of the beetle in the second shot are awesome.
Andy...