*** The Weekly Close Up 16/2011***

Welcome to the Weekly Close Up, where we see things just a bit differently than the rest of the world.

Summer is in full swing here, so I thought I would get this going early this week. We have maxed out the thread in years past and I think it's high time we get back to it this year.

So show me your small, your tiny and your minute. Show me things that you have shot so close up that it freaks people out. I don't care how you get it, just post it.

Remember that people like to know what you use and how you got the shot. I know I learn a lot from this thread. I hope others do too.

Please reply to this as I will. Also let others know what you think of their work. Both that you like it and even a kind suggestion of improvement can be appreciated.

Some of my shots next
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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

One of my maples is infected with aphids. I hate using sprays, one application and my yard is done for the summer. Luckily, mother nature came to the rescue.

I'll be shooting these guys for a while. I hope I don't bore you all.

E 5, 35mm, EC 20, FRF





They must think the tree is a good one because they are setting up shop.







Of course those eggs hatch in to nymphs that really appreciate the feast of aphids.



I hope to get better shots when the wind calms down.

Thanks for looking

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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

My neighbors house has what we thought was a small hive in it. Last year they formed a football sized swarm when they split. This year was a different story.

Wednesday I looked out in the back yard to see bees flying everywhere. Too the point the view beyond them was obscured. Soon they formed a swarm in my other maple but much larger this year. It formed a column 4 feet long and 4 inches around. So big that at one point the broke the branch and had to reform on another.

I called a bee keeper to come get it the next morning but by the time he was suppose to be here, a torrential storm had broken out. We got nearly 3 inches of rain in 90 minutes. He called to say he couldn't make it as there was some flooding where he was and told me that the bees would drown in this rain. Couldn't I put the bees in a box for him to pick up?

So their we were, out in the storm with lightning and the sirens going off saving the hive. As I slid a big monitor box up around the hive, the other half used a pole cutter to snip the branch. I left the box there for a few minutes to let in the stragglers, then taped it up. He came and got it on the morning off of a dry porch.

Here are a few shots of the swarm. I was whispering my butt off for the shots taken with the 7-14. Between the wind and being nervous, getting great shots was hard.

E 5, 7-14, FL 50r



E 5 50-200. EC 20, FL 50r



Thanks for looking
--
JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

--
JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

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Paul Hegarty N Ireland

A question is only easy when you know the answer

Jim,, you are a braver man than I am. I only have seen one swarm and it was half the size of yours
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Brad Ross

Ladybugs are cool, Jim.....Killer shots!!! Specially that one of the aphid getting munched on.....

The bee keeper told me the next day that in a swarm, you can actually push your finger into it and they will not sting. I did get one trapped in my clothes and got a light sting but that was it.
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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

Close up is a wide concept, It means we can see nice shots like yours too.

Thanks for sharing
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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

Well...not really but I was able to rake in some variety.....E-30 + 70-300mm + 35mm zd + Raynox 150; on board flash and diffuser.....

1.



2.



3. Cropped.



4.



5.



6.

Thanks Jim

are you doing anymore night photos with torch our lamp really liked seeing them paul
ps like the ladybug i tend to stay clear of bees and wasps..
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Paul Hegarty N Ireland

A question is only easy when you know the answer

ID please

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Brad Ross

I love the variety and I think using the Raynox 150 on the 35mm definitely qualifies you as a full blown Bug Whisperer.

All the shots stand out but I really like the first one.

Thanks for sharing

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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

Nice details on the flies. Did you gat a frontal shot on the other bug?

Thanks for sharing
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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

You certainly prove you dont have to have a macro lenses to get great shots.

Thanks for sharing
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JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend

I posted some pictures taken with the ZD35 during the week, here's three more. This is the best £120 I have spent on photographic kit.







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My Galleries are at
http://picasaweb.google.com/trevorfcarpenter

Great shots, like to see bugs right in the eyes!

I've done some close-ups lately, after aquiring a zuiko 50mm f2. Funny also I also see myself using liveview a lot and manual settings. These are with the ec14.

What a Flying shot with a 35mm. YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!!

I like them all
Thanks for sharing
--
JimB
Bug Whisperer

Join us in The Weekly Close up every weekend