Unusual insects

[Dark Raptor]

Pycnoscelus surinamensis

Gromphadorhina portentosa

Eublaberus distanti i P. surinamensis

Protaetia lugubris

Carabus auronitens

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

I think I should finish this thread... it is too monotone, isn't it?

 

[Ecilious]

'Saw this and thought of you...'

Staphylinus olens, aka Devils Coach Horse. Not a great photo I know, lifted up a large log in the woods whilst collecting brambles and only had my phone to take a picture.

 

[Dark Raptor]

'Saw this and thought of you...'
Staphylinus olens, aka Devils Coach Horse. Not a great photo I know, lifted up a large log in the woods whilst collecting brambles and only had my phone to take a picture.

Thanks. Staphylinus is my favourite genus in Staphylinidae family. As soon as there will be normal temperatures in Poland I'll try to get some pics of S. cesareus or Emus hirtus.

 

[Dark Raptor]

I've check one thing. I think correct name of that rove beetle should be Ocypus olens. This specie is also very common in Poland.

One of my friends has just get one:

http://leoo.asternet.pl/CRW_5690.JPG

I love watching their 'defensive' position.

 

[danread]

Hi Dark Raptor,

those are some really superb photos, thanks for sharing them. What photo setup are you using? Are you using a flash or natural light?

Cheers,

 

[Dark Raptor]

Hi Dark Raptor,

those are some really supurb photos, thanks for sharing them. What photo setup are you using? Are you using a flash or natural light?

Cheers,

Thanks

Almost all pictures were taken with Nikon Coolpix 5000, last pictures with my new camera - Nikon D70s with Nikkor micro 105/2.8 and Kenko MC7x2 teleconverter.
I always try to use natural light, especially when making pics in nature. Because I work for the whole day, I can photograph only in the evening. It's too dark and I'm using lamps. It was enough for the Coolpix, but with the new equipment it is very hard to make really sharp picture. Now I'm using flash, but I try to lower its power (I reduce it by using white sheet of paper ect.).

 

[Ganoderma]

nice pictures dark raptor. you seem to have very good photo talent. heres me with a similar camera...haha.

gasshopers...no idea what but they are pretty big. spines on the legs drew blood.

 

[danread]

Thanks

Almost all pictures were taken with Nikon Coolpix 5000, last pictures with my new camera - Nikon D70s with Nikkor micro 105/2.8 and Kenko MC7x2 teleconverter.
I always try to use natural light, especially when making pics in nature. Because I work for the whole day, I can photograph only in the evening. It's too dark and I'm using lamps. It was enough for the Coolpix, but with the new equipment it is very hard to make really sharp picture. Now I'm using flesh, but I try to lower its power (I reduce it by using white sheet of paper ect.).

Thanks for the information. I'm having much the same problem, i rarely get the chance to use natural light in my photos. I've recently started using a tip i read in John Shaws "Closeups in nature" which involves placing a white plastic mixing bowl over the subject. I photograph through a hole in the bowl, and use my external flash over the top, which gives a pretty nice even light. it's not as good as natural light, but much better than using a desk lamp.

Cheers,

 

[Ganoderma]

im pretty camera retarded. im trying to learn how to take better photos and seeing darkraptors i know my camera is capable. could you possibly explain that procedure again. sorry i dont really get how it works

 

[Dark Raptor]

Thank you guys.

I'm planning to buy SB-600, so it should be much easier to get correct lighting. I'll also get MC-DC1 'cable' next week. My pics should be sharper than now (it will reduce shakes).

Nice grasshopers Our largest Acridoidea specie it is Locusta migratoria, only some Tettigonidae species are larger than this one.

PS. I like your nickname Ganoderma. It reminds me Ganoderma applanatum, very interesting fungus, rich in mycophagous fauna.

And more pics.

...and Osmoderma eremita (Cetoniidae). She has emerged today from pupation chamber.

She's got some mites...

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

 

[Dark Raptor]

Here is the lense I'm using now (with my 'analog' Nikon F60):

And nice addition made many years ago in Soviet Union. With this device I'll be able to get incredible magnifications. But it will be possible only with very good lighting. I'll be able to take pics in 'full manual' mode. Here with my old Nikon F2.

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

 

[danread]

Wow, with a bellows unit that long you should be able to get some great closeups, but as you said, the lighting must get quite difficult at that level of extension. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos with the new flash, i can;t imagine how they can get much better thought, they are some excellent photos. I'm thinking of investing in my first dSLR soon, and probably with the sigma 105mm macro lens, it seems to be a good macro 'allrounder'. I'll post some pics when i get it.

Cheers,

 

[Ganoderma]

wow.....big camera haha. no idea what it is but its pictures are very impressive! if possible do you have any suggestions on taking photos in teh feild? i have the CP5400 (very similar to your cp5000) and i cant seem to get the hang of things. when its at my house and i have time on my side i can get decent shots, but in the feild im usually left with either crappy pics or decent ones of half an animal :wall:

unfortunatly i dont have any $ for a new cam or lenses/adapter for this one...

think you could shed some light on anything you can?


are the grasshopers in my pics "Locusta migratoria"? they are pretty impressive, 4 1/4" was the biggest we found. found lots of dead ones with ants as well. bet their tasty.

thanks for any help

 

[Dark Raptor]

Hi

I'm thinking of investing in my first dSLR soon, and probably with the sigma 105mm macro lens, it seems to be a good macro 'allrounder'.

Yes, I know it is a very good lens. At first I was thinking about buying it, but I was able to buy cheaper Nikkor 105/2.8.

if possible do you have any suggestions on taking photos in teh feild?

The first problem is that lens in Coolpix is rather dark (as I remember f3.5/4.5). This is problem when there is lack of light. In the field I always try to:
- use manual focus (autofocus in CP is very slow, I use it only for almost 'static' animal)
- when it is draker (clouds, evening ect.) I use highier ISO. Remember to use ISO 200 - 400, when you set it at 800 you'll get characteristic 'noises'
- if it is very dark, you can use flash. Sometimes you can put white sheet of paper between object and flashlight (you won't get too bright lights on the object)
- never use 'digital zoom', I think there should be an option "turn it off forever" in every digital camera.
- always try to find stable base for your camera. Small tripod or another stuff like this will help you get sharp pics. You can always put your equipment on the ground.
- and when you work with insects for longer time you will learn how to draw near objects without scaring them away.

I can't ID your grasshoper. I wrote that polish largest specie it is L. migratoria, and is smaller than your insect

 

[Dark Raptor]

New insects
Lucanus cervus

Ips typhographus

Blatella germanica

Chalcosoma atlas

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

 

[Ecilious]

Maybe it's just me, but does that L. cervus looks a bit... dead?

 

[Malhavoc's]

Looks a lil dead to me too, but then again a photo of that quality is still awesome.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Yes, you are right. But as you know it is very difficult to get living specimen in the middle of the winter, especially when it is sometimes -27 degrees C outside ;P

 

[Malhavoc's]

Ahh well you have a point there. I guess I can 'allow' it to be dead then, none the less fine specimen.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Ok. Now two living invertebrates and two 'zombies' I think it's easy to guess which one belong to which group

Osmoderma eremita (Cetoniidae)

Hymenoptera sp.

Onthophagus sp. taurus(?) - female

Lithobius forficatus

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting