Originally posted by audiobomber Really well done, Joe. Beetles are hard to shoot because they are usually scurrying off somewhere. These don't seem in a hurry to run off.
Thanks Dan
The Tiger Beetles are like the hardest of any bug to shoot, I think scale to us they can run at over over 60mph (although they fly off slow) - patience pays off with these guys, it's rare but every once in a while you will find one or two that will cooperate for a bit. One thing to note for reference on this, they do not like people walking near them and will always fly/jump off if you walk within 4~6ft of them, I get on my knees and move around where they are, seems to not intimidate them as much. I seen a few hundred of these guys yesterday but took me a few hours just to get a couple pics.
Originally posted by wcchamp18 Nice shots Joe. Great DOF too. Can't believe you didn't call and tell me about the cool new flash deflector you got!!!!! !@$#%&
I will give you a call this evening (also fill you in on my eventful sunday in DC)...
Originally posted by magkelly T'aint rude tis just a wee bit of Spring Fever....:P Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they?
Yep, spring fever, that time of year once again
Originally posted by mtansley I didn't know they did use bugs for cosmetics. That's a new one on me. Doesn't sound too good.
Yep - dry them out then crush them up, crazy but has been done by tribes for centuries.
Originally posted by hishammarmin This bug is quite difficult to photograph because the shinning outer body layer. Your lighting is very good because you can minimize and eliminate the 'burnout' area. Very impressive and good macro indeed. Well done!
Thanks hishammarmin - the bounce reflector seems to work a little better than what my mini diffuser does when shooting these guys, I should be using it more often
...