Silversnapper's Happy Snaps

[Silversnapper]

The first 'real' shot with my new-to-me Nikon 810 kit. A three image stack processed in Affinity Photo 2.

I'm free .......

 

[Peter7100]

Congrats on your new kit, happy shooting!

 

[Needa]

Would have thought you would have used the 105 macro for that shot.

 

[Silversnapper]

Would have thought you would have used the 105 macro for that shot.

I am still getting used to the camera Needa and as this lens was already fitted and as the camera was already on the tripod, I thought 'why not?' It was a good test for both and I'm very pleased with the outcome. I love the Sigma 105 macro lens and I still use it a lot on other makes of camera since the mid noughties. I am actually doing some test shots with it at the moment so I'll post one when I've finished.

 

[Silversnapper]

Another test as I get used to my new kit. Using the Sigma 105mm macro lens, this is an 8 shot stack of my late wife's rings.

 

[Silversnapper]

I've been giving the macro setup of D810, Sigma 105mm macro + various extension tubes a workout recently.

Section of a childs charm bracelet.

10BA thread form x 1/4 inch long machine screws.

A bunch of 2mm square x 50mm long coloured matchsticks for hobby use.

 

[Silversnapper]

A few shots with the D810 and the Sigma 105mm macro on my afternoon walk.

My shaky hands problems is proving a bit of a challenge with close-ups.

 

[Silversnapper]

One plant died, one survived. Hmm .....

..... I wonder if it's a Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant)?

 

[Silversnapper]

Out for a stroll this morning I came across these three opportunities - only to realise that I hade my 25-120mm lens fitted, NOT my macro lens. Fortunately I had had my Raynox 250 adapter lens in my pocket and I was able to grab these shots. Heavy crops to both images but at least I didn't come home empty-handed.

Cucumber Spider

Red Ladybird

The Mating Game

 

[Silversnapper]

Much to my surprise I managed to find a critter yesterday, I believe it is a Golden bloomed Longhorn Beetle (please correct me if I'm wrong).

It was sat in front of a hedgerow blossom which I haven't identified yet.

 

[Clovishound]

Looks a lot like the beetle I posted yesterday. I believe mine is a rose chafer, a type of scarab beetle.

Yours is a little different than mine, but I think it is a type of scarab beetle also.

Of course, I'm certainly no entomologist, and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[Silversnapper]

Thanks to the British Wildlife Trusts website I found this:

I think it's the same beetle.

 

[Clovishound]

This is the kind of pictures I see when searching for golden bloomed grey longhorn beetle. Maybe the antennae are different at certain developmental stages.

 

[Silversnapper]

Goodness me, even my more knowledgeable friends are divided on this one, the short antennae being an issue as you noted. I think I'll settle for 'a beetle'

 

[Clovishound]

Goodness me, even my more knowledgeable friends are divided on this one, the short antennae being an issue as you noted. I think I'll settle for 'a beetle'

Works for me. I like to have info on the critters I get images of, but sometimes it's really hard to pin them down with any certainty. I have real trouble trying to distinguish between several species of warblers.

 

[Silversnapper]

Dodging showers on my daily walk I managed to capture these:

Harlequin Ladybird (Ladybug) Larva

Sawfly

More Sawflies

 

[Silversnapper]

Just trying out a new-to-me lens.

 

[Silversnapper]

Out I go with my macro rig - off go the little critters. Hmm, there must be a commercial opportunity for this skill.

 

[Clovishound]

You gotta learn to sneak up on em!

Seriously, bees don't stay in one place for very long at all.

Cool mornings can improve your odds. They move a little slower when it's cool. Be careful about quick movements when approaching. I've had some critters be very comfortable with me being quite close. Then, without thinking, I reach up change a setting, or scratch my nose, and boom, off they go.

 

[Silversnapper]

".... learn to sneak up on 'em" Clovishoud, I'd sleep with the darned things if it meant I could get a decent shot.

I popped into the garden earlier to get a closeup of a beautiful Cornflower, but when I got it on to the computer ......

.... the bugs are taking the mickey and having a laugh aren't they.