My first shot of the season of this species, a female on this occasion. I'd be grateful if someone could ID the plant. It had leaves similar in shape and size to those of nettles.
Canon 7D with Sigma 150mm lens, f9, 1/40 (from memory), ISO 400, tripod, live view, etc.
All comments appreciated, particularly relating to the composition and the processing. I found it difficult to compose this shot and placing the stalk more centrally just didn't look right because of the insect sticking out to the left. Ideally the insect would have been positioned on the side of the stalk with its abdomen pointing down, but it was having none of it! It flew off shortly after taking this.
Matt
[EDIT: sorry mods, I've just realised that I've posted the 800px version!]
This is a nicely balanced shot Matt, I think you've got the composition right given the position of the insect on the plant, which is a bit different from the usual.
Looks good to me as well - as with Jules, I've been trying these myself lately and it is a whole different ball game to stuff I am comfortable with......chrs,
Excellent again, Matt. I think the plant could also be Marsh Woundwort Stachys palustris if the smell is not all that pronounced. Hedge woundwort Stachys sylvatica has a very strong smell which can be thought unpleasant. I certainly think it is. The two species tend to hybridise if growing in the same locality.
Excellent image Matt, great colours and BG, visually, I agree with other comments that it is a Hedge Woundwort, it grows all over my garden and is a pain to keep under control.
Compositionally, no problems with it at all and can well understand it would have been difficult to compose at the time.
Another high quality insect shot - you must be compiling a satisfying library of images.
I agree with others that the composition is strong but I think the animals pose is not the best - the downward tilt seems to make viewing a little less satisfying than it might otherwise be.
many thanks for the comments and I do agree that the position of the insect is not ideal.
It seems that the plant is a Woundwort but I didn't notice a strong smell, and it was next to water, so perhaps this makes March Woundwort more likely.
Discussion
12 repliesCanon 7D with Sigma 150mm lens, f9, 1/40 (from memory), ISO 400, tripod, live view, etc.
All comments appreciated, particularly relating to the composition and the processing. I found it difficult to compose this shot and placing the stalk more centrally just didn't look right because of the insect sticking out to the left. Ideally the insect would have been positioned on the side of the stalk with its abdomen pointing down, but it was having none of it! It flew off shortly after taking this.
Matt
[EDIT: sorry mods, I've just realised that I've posted the 800px version!]
The plant is Hedge Woundwort, Stachys sylvatica.
Greg
JR
Regards,
Paul.
See http://www.brickfieldspark.org/data/marshwoundwort.htm
Compositionally, no problems with it at all and can well understand it would have been difficult to compose at the time.
Heath
Another high quality insect shot - you must be compiling a satisfying library of images.
I agree with others that the composition is strong but I think the animals pose is not the best - the downward tilt seems to make viewing a little less satisfying than it might otherwise be.
Cheers,
Chris
It seems that the plant is a Woundwort but I didn't notice a strong smell, and it was next to water, so perhaps this makes March Woundwort more likely.
Matt
Ian