Insects...

[Dusty]

I got interrupted on my last post, so it wasn't complete. For those of you who wonder how honey get into a jar, well it starts with a hive of honeybees. The bottom 2 boxes are brood boxes, where the young are raised. The top boxes are called honey supers. This is where they store the honey, that we later steal from them.

Answering Greg's question, in winter they huddle together around the queen, keeping her and each other warm. You have to make sure they have plenty of honey left to get thru the winter. Normally, after you rob them in the fall, you feed them a heavy sugar water syrup to get them to make enough honey for the winter.

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Dusty

[Birma]

Very interesting Dusty - I expect having all of these pollenators around helps growing the fruit etc.

[Dusty]

Out at the swing the other day for Lilly (her favorite activity) and saw this guy on the plastic cap on the end of the top pipe.

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Dusty

[Birma]

Hi Dusty - the markings on the abdomen look like the Garden Spider, but this is a very small one - you did well to spot it.

On a slightly OT note - this forum has gone quiet - I suppose everyone is busy analysing A33/55 sample shots .

[Dusty]

On a slightly OT note - this forum has gone quiet - I suppose everyone is busy analysing A33/55 sample shots .

That's one reason I've been posting a bit more.

Dusty

[Birma]

Out in the woods today there were plenty of these chaps zooming around. This one waited on a wooden bench very patiently for me and my Tamron 60mm f/2.


Common Darter by Birm, on Flickr

I also saw a couple of Southern Hawkers which are BIG but too fast for me .

[Dr. Harout]

Another great shot with your new lens, Birm. Keep them coming.

[Birma]

Thanks Doc. I'll do my best .

[Greg Beetham]

That's a good Dragonfly pic Birma, they're not easy to pin down.
Greg

ps. We have that type of spider here in the garden as well Dusty, they tend to jump suddenly quite a bit.

[Birma]

Thanks Greg . As well as being fast they are masters of the quick turn so very hard to follow in flight. I'd like to go back earlier in the day, before they warm up, probably with the beercan and see if I can catch a few "fueling up" on sunhine for the day.

[aster]

Hi Dusty,

Those bee hives are a sight too familiar from chilldhood for me. Great to have on's own honey supply in the backyard.


Birma, definitely fine details and a timely shot from that dragonfly. Never saw these creatures around my place to take a shot ....

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

[Birma]

Thanks Yildiz . I think you most often find them near water as there larvae are aquatic. Woodland and Heathland where there are not too many people about seem to be good places near me. We very occasionally see one in our garden but it is normally just a fleeting visit.

[Juanito200]

Here is one from yesterday. Emma holding a Praying Mantis. I would have liked a better composition, and lower ISO, but both subjects weren't very still. Emma was a good sport for holding such a big bug long enough for me to take a few shots. a700, 30mm macro ISO 1250 f11 Overcast skies. John

[Birma]

Wow! That is a big bug. Nice pic John. Very well done to Emma for holding the subject.

[aster]

Hi John,

The praying mantis seems to be looking your way, John. I wonder how sensitive they are to the things they see, like a dark camera which has no similarities to a green plant's.

A friendly pose from the holder and the praying mantis.

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz