...surprised me today with a great new macro lens for my Nikon SLR! I immediately ran outside with it and took about 500 photos. I suppose I should read the manual sometime...
Honeybee on echinops (Globe thistle.) I love this pic because you can see the hairs on her eyeball, and the pollen packed into the "basket" on her hind leg. I also love it because I love my honeybees. :)
Painted Lady butterfly on yellow coneflower.
Bumble with her head stuck in a basil flower.
Bumble bee on a sunflower that self-seeded under my birdfeeder!
Two Goldenrod Soldier beetles looking for a little privacy while they get it on under the watchful lens of the local paparazzi. Jennifer Schlick has a great blog post on these interesting bugs. Read it here!
Now I think this...
...is an Alfalfa Leafcutter bee, like the ones nesting in my Mason bee boxes. If anyone can confirm that I.D., I'd appreciate it.
Same bee, different flower. What impressive mandibles!
I this is some sort of bumblebee with a lot of orange on its body. I really need to learn my bumblebees!
And this...
...is one of my favourites, the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, aka hemaris thysbe. They are one of my favourite things in the garden. I still remember the first time i saw one. I thought it was the world's smallest hummingbird. They are amazing creatures that fly just like... a hummingbird.
And here's another Painted Lady...
We've had an explosion of butterflies this spring and summer. Yesterday there were hundreds of Painted Lady butterflies all around this area. My friend Ronna saw many being killed by cars yesterday, because they were so numerous on and around the roads!! They really are gorgeous.
Mr. Goldenrod Soldier beetle, post-tryst.
My perennial favourites again...
Gorgeous, gorgeous honeybees. For those who fear them, let me point out that they are generally very gentle, especially when out foraging. My macro lens almost touched some of these honeybees and they didn't care one bit.
Now I need to go read that manual, but I'm having a blast with this lens!!
Thank you for my wonderful surprise gift, Gordon! xoxoxo
You are most welcome, my sweetest sweetie!
ReplyDeleteg
xoxoxoxox
DeleteCONSUMED with jellusee!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos.
I am in love with a camera lens...
DeleteWhat an awsome lens... those are excellent pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteIs that a hummingbird, or is it a bug?
It's a moth but when you first see one, you'd swear it was a tiny hummingbird!
DeleteYe gods! I had to read because it was about a chimera lens - oops, I mean camera lens - but all those chuffing little chimeras! Aaaargh! They're bugs all; squish 'em before the human race is re-enslaved by the Moth People or wiped out by the giant wasps! Lock and load, Sigourney, roll those newspapers like you mean it!
ReplyDeleteWhat am I going to do with you??!!!
DeleteOn the other hand, a chimera lens sounds fascinating. Where can I buy one?
Wow, those are terrific pictures. Now take some of the cats. Enough of the bees although they are really good ones of the bees. That was so nice of your husband to do that.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. To see those lovely bees and bugs this close gives you new appreciation for all living things.
ReplyDeleteThank you excellentus husbandis!
Beautiful photos! And congrats on your prize-winning honey!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sheri!
DeleteAmazing. Truly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim. I'm having a ball with this!
DeleteThe photos are just stunning. Xou have the bestest husband ever!
ReplyDeleteHe is REALLY good to me!! :)
DeleteThose are fantastic photographs. I love the hummingbird moth. Never have had the chance to see one in person.
ReplyDeleteThey are just so neat! You'll know when you see one. "MIniature hummingbird!"
DeleteThe mandibles on that Alfalfa Leafcutter bee look like they mean business! Lovely photos, all of them.
ReplyDeleteAren't they huge?!
DeleteOh my... I´m realy impressed!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!:)
DeleteAbsolutely sensational pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you Deven! I think I've found my new obsession.
DeleteWow - amazing pics. Of course it is not just the lens - it is the fabulous talent of the person taking the pictures too!!! Bugs and bees are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Evlyn! I love being with the bugs.
DeleteAll right... is there a store where i can get my very own Gordon????
ReplyDeleteSadly he is an only child, so no brother to share, but perhaps I can clone him!
DeleteBeautiful photos! I saw one of those moths for the first time this year and was sure it was a hummingbird until it was still. What an amazing world! ~ Maureen
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking that too, the first time I saw one!
DeleteI feel we all got a present. Nothing like presenting a photographer with a new lens! Looking forward to being up close and personal with all sorts of creatures over the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteB.
I need to get out there and get snapping before the frost comes!
DeleteWhat a sweet husband you have! I would have run out to take pics and forgotten about the manual too....lol.
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are GORGEOUS!
Hey, thank you, and WELCOME!
DeleteOh, I covet this lens! What gorgeous photos! How in the world did you get the hummingbird moth still enough to shoot that gorgeous photo? I chased one all around my esperanza until it zipped around the house. (Probably was disgusted with the big eye chasing it.)
ReplyDeleteJanet
Very fast shutter speed! :) Most of my shots were blurry.
DeleteWhat can I add - indeed gorgeous photos - I long for such a camera. Astounding detail.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anya. I love that Nikon. Also a gift from my hubby!
DeleteLucky You! Nice Husband you've got there..
ReplyDeleteThese photos are wonderful!
He is so good to me. I feel blessed.
DeleteWow these are fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you LBM!
Delete