I have recently posted the following article on my web site and thought it might be of interest on here. I was answering the question as to why I wasn't posting many bird images and yet posting plenty of insects. I think it probably applies to this site too.:
NOT MANY BIRD IMAGES JUST INSECTS
Why? Because most species of birds have just finished rearing broods and are looking very tatty , indeed, many are now undergoing a moult, and some even find it difficult to fly. Secondly, vegetation is at its most dense, and natural food is at its peak, so, not only are birds more difficult to see, but also, they probably fly less now than at any other time of year.
Why is it a good time of year for insect photography? Because during these long warm summer days insects are most abundant. All the dragonflies and damselflies are now hatched from their watery infancy to become magnificent winged hunters. Flies,bees,wasps,midges,spiders and all other insect species can now be seen gathering food and preparing themselves and their future offspring for the long winter months.
Food is the catalyst to all this, and you only need look in your own garden to realise how productive mother nature is at this time of year. Pollen, fruit, flowers and just plain green vegetation is what makes it all tick, and provides the life cycle which sustains us all.
Any comments??
Best wishes
Phil
Well Phil, I have not been into Avian photography for long and last year only discovered migrant waders and waterfowl as photographic subjects. I remember last summer getting quite depressed due to the lack of birds and images and thought I was just unlucky and perhaps blamed the areas I was frequenting. I am also new to birding in general so didn't take much interest in seasons and bird movement etc. How naive was i!!! It is only now that I realise why bird photographers also have a keen interest in insects and stuff - in fact so much so, that I may be forced into buying a decent macro lens.
Quite ironic you've poted this as it was only just the other day that I have been thinking about this. Good post.
As you know I recently bought a macro lens mainly for summer nature photography so I could have a bash at these damsels, dragonflies, butterflies, etc. I am sure the novelty will wear off but bug hunting and photography is great fun on a pleasant summers evening, and very rewarding when it all comes together. For me it makes a good change from birds and other outdoor subjects.
cheers
Sean
Posted by David Taylor on July 24, 2006 at 6:46 PM
Plant some purple toadflax, and encourage Wool Carder Bees. The photogenic males are very territorial and very aggressive in defending their territory and can provide ample opportunities for good photos if you are patient and lucky enough. This is just one example which is useful if you have limited space, there are endless others.
I agree with your observation Phil, ex. here on UKNP very few bird-pics at the moment. I find it a real pity, I must say (but then again I'm a bird-photographer only...). Every season of the year has it's bird-opportunities. I also find that ratty looking birds merits a photo, I find it a bit boring that most bird-photos just show beautiful males in their prime. A good stock includes all plumages and situations! Right now you can get plenty of bird-pics that are hard to do the rest of the year. I have vacation right now and I am filling 4-6Gb of birdpics every day! Good examples are:
* Returning shorebirds still in summer-plumage and quite approachable. Several stay for 1-2 months whereas in spring they just pass through quickly. I just got the most beautiful Curlew Sandpipers and Sanderlings.
* Ducklings, I have managed around 8 species of ducklings in the last week.
* Very appoachable young Buzzards, Hawks and Falcons - learning to hunt.
* Swifts and Swallows, try to get a clean, sharp shot of a swift with its chin full of insects - thats a challenge!
* Eiders, as they are moulting they will stay approachable in large groups. With some luck you can get them catching crabs and other seafood.
* Young Cuckoos being fed by their foster-parents.
As I see it, I have to hurry before the hawk-migration starts southwards in 1 month beginning with the Honey Buzzards.
Biggest challenge probably is, that one have to get up real early to get the good light
Helge
Posted by Simon Hawtin on July 27, 2006 at 9:09 AM
Hi Phil
Interesting post - there don't seem to be many opportunities around.
I have tried Swifts and Swallows, and high tide wader roosts - not many birds and too many people on beaches etc at this time of the year.
I have tried insect photography and that, as Tim says, is good to keep you fresh and give you a new challenge.
Next thing is to look out for a place to put a winter feeding station.
Cheers Simon
Discussion
6 repliesNOT MANY BIRD IMAGES JUST INSECTS
Why? Because most species of birds have just finished rearing broods and are looking very tatty , indeed, many are now undergoing a moult, and some even find it difficult to fly. Secondly, vegetation is at its most dense, and natural food is at its peak, so, not only are birds more difficult to see, but also, they probably fly less now than at any other time of year.
Why is it a good time of year for insect photography? Because during these long warm summer days insects are most abundant. All the dragonflies and damselflies are now hatched from their watery infancy to become magnificent winged hunters. Flies,bees,wasps,midges,spiders and all other insect species can now be seen gathering food and preparing themselves and their future offspring for the long winter months.
Food is the catalyst to all this, and you only need look in your own garden to realise how productive mother nature is at this time of year. Pollen, fruit, flowers and just plain green vegetation is what makes it all tick, and provides the life cycle which sustains us all.
Any comments??
Best wishes
Phil
Quite ironic you've poted this as it was only just the other day that I have been thinking about this. Good post.
Graeme
As you know I recently bought a macro lens mainly for summer nature photography so I could have a bash at these damsels, dragonflies, butterflies, etc. I am sure the novelty will wear off but bug hunting and photography is great fun on a pleasant summers evening, and very rewarding when it all comes together. For me it makes a good change from birds and other outdoor subjects.
cheers
Sean
Tim
* Returning shorebirds still in summer-plumage and quite approachable. Several stay for 1-2 months whereas in spring they just pass through quickly. I just got the most beautiful Curlew Sandpipers and Sanderlings.
* Ducklings, I have managed around 8 species of ducklings in the last week.
* Very appoachable young Buzzards, Hawks and Falcons - learning to hunt.
* Swifts and Swallows, try to get a clean, sharp shot of a swift with its chin full of insects - thats a challenge!
* Eiders, as they are moulting they will stay approachable in large groups. With some luck you can get them catching crabs and other seafood.
* Young Cuckoos being fed by their foster-parents.
As I see it, I have to hurry before the hawk-migration starts southwards in 1 month beginning with the Honey Buzzards.
Biggest challenge probably is, that one have to get up real early to get the good light
Helge
Interesting post - there don't seem to be many opportunities around.
I have tried Swifts and Swallows, and high tide wader roosts - not many birds and too many people on beaches etc at this time of the year.
I have tried insect photography and that, as Tim says, is good to keep you fresh and give you a new challenge.
Next thing is to look out for a place to put a winter feeding station.
Cheers Simon