Macro in the garden

[Geoff M]

A couple from today, usual set up - 60mm micro and R1C1

[aim54x]

Nicely done....does your family ever wonder why you spend so much time photographing leaves?

Keep up the good work PS I would maybe lift the brightness up a tad.

[ATJ]

Great shot of an assassin bug, Gminatus australis. The second shot is the best as it shows the proboscis, with which they impale their prey, quite well.

Be careful as their "bite" can be quite painful.

[Geoff M]

does your family ever wonder why you spend so much time photographing leaves?

Indeed they do, however, like me, they are quite astounded at the variety of types of bugs that can be found in a suburban garden.

Great shot of an assassin bug, Gminatus australis. The second shot is the best as it shows the proboscis, with which they impale their prey, quite well.

Thanks Andrew. Wish I could ID them myself, can you recommend any good sites or books to assist?

[bigsarg7]

wow, excellent shots. #2 is my fav. Why is it everytime I go to photograph anything in my yard all i find is ants!! lol U have me wanting to explore my yard more to find some goodies! what time of day did you take these at? amazing detail captured!! well done!!

[ATJ]

Wish I could ID them myself, can you recommend any good sites or books to assist?

This is a very good site for insects and spiders: Brisbane Insects and Spiders Home Page. It works well for me here in the Blue Mountains so it should work even better for you.

[Geoff M]

wow, excellent shots. #2 is my fav. Why is it everytime I go to photograph anything in my yard all i find is ants!! lol U have me wanting to explore my yard more to find some goodies! what time of day did you take these at? amazing detail captured!! well done!!

Thanks Kirsten. You do need to 'look', they are always there, but they are very good at hiding. These shots were taken at 10.30am. Some days I will not find any bugs to shoot but on other occasions their will be numerous different types abound.

I would guess that early in the day is the best time to capture insects etc. because as the day warms up they become more active and move pretty quickly.

[Geoff M]

Wish I could ID them myself, can you recommend any good sites or books to assist?

This is a very good site for insects and spiders: Brisbane Insects and Spiders Home Page. It works well for me here in the Blue Mountains so it should work even better for you.

Thanks Andrew, now added to my 'favourites'

[blacknstormy]

That is a brilliant website - great info and done for love too !!! The book I hope you have is Wildlife of Greater Brisbane - has quite a few insects, but also great for birds, snakes etc etc. If you want to go the whole hog, you can get the Bible - CSIRO's 'The insects of Australia'. A 2-volume set, out of print for a while now, but if you can get hold of a set well worth the outlay if you are going to go 'insect crazy' Most of us who have them though, wouldn't get rid of them for quids
And yes, assassin bugs hurt like the bejesus !!!! Like having a red hot hypodermic stuck into you - actually, I suppose it is EXACTLY like have a hypodermic stuck into you, seeing that's what it is