louis

18 Nov 2015 • 320 views
 
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photoblog image Calidea dregii
Calidea dregii|

Calidea dregii

 

The nymph of the Rainbow Shield Beetle (Calidea dregii). I failed to get the head and body in focus at the same time. Shooting out of hand, I tried narrower f-stops for broader focus field, but shutterspeed became too slow and the little bug almost never held still. The tripod was too far away and anyway it is useless with an active subject. Tried auto vs manual focus. In auto the macro lens hunts too much and in manual mode the mobile bug made it impossible.

 

So, herewith I take off my proverbial hat to hardened macro shottists, e.g. the gobsmacker from Thailand. Good on you, mate.

 

This nymph is 3 to 4 mm and is running purposefully to nowhere (heh, heh) on a 1cm thick cable, that keeps animals out of the camp where we stayed in the Kruger Park.

 

Reading up to indentify the bug, I came accross this part: "I want to alert you to the danger that the Rainbow Shield Bug (Calidea dregii) poses to the bio-fuel proejct in Guinea-Bissau." and "In Mozambique it occurs in insignificant numbers whereas in Guinea-Bissau it is a major pest. It has been reported as a minor pest in Indian Jatropha." I took this picture about 100kms from the Mozambiquean border.

 

 

comments (18)

Gobsmacked !! smile
Louis: Thank you Frank. That is quite a compliment.
Great post! The beastie is a beauty - and I don't even mind that his head isn't in focus - great story, Louis!!
Louis: Thank you Elizabeth. The story is also to share the experience of macro shooting.
  • Ray
  • Thailand
  • 18 Nov 2015, 04:35
Enough of the excuses already!

It is a fine shot of an exquisite bug, Louis!
Louis: Ah, since this is a photographic blog site, I was just sharing my experience. This sharing continues on Friday, with a shot of a similar bug, but with different lens equipment. I will probably never get the hang of a macro lens - the lens is way too active. But I can make excuses too, if I want to smile

Thanks for the appreciation, oh master Ray.
  • Astrid
  • Netherlands
  • 18 Nov 2015, 04:48
This one does not have to dress up for Carnival. Fabulous picture and a likey to me.
Louis: Thank you, Astrid. I am happy with the likey.
A fabulous capture Louis. Look at the tones!
Louis: Thank you Richard. Yes, now one knows that iridescent green and flashy orange go together smile
  • Chris
  • England
  • 18 Nov 2015, 06:20
It looks almost artificial doesn't it Louis. I wonder why mother nature decided on this amazing colour scheme?
Louis: It does look jewel like. On mother nature's whims, the verdict is yet to passed.
  • Philine
  • Germany
  • 18 Nov 2015, 06:23
Ik heb nooit zo'n kleurrijke kever gezien! Een heel mooie foto!
Louis: Danjewel, Philine. Ze liepen als juweeltjes op de kabelwerk.
  • Lisl
  • Batheaston, Bath
  • 18 Nov 2015, 06:53
You have done an excellent job, Louis!
Louis: Thank you Lisl. I am happy with your verdict smile
I don't care what anyone says, Louis (least of all you), but this is an eye-stopper. It has the appearance of being immortalized into a woman's brooch (like they do in Japan, I think?).
Louis: And I thought you cared about me (as well). The bug does have the possibilities to be the example for a great jewel. The Egyptians did that for a scarab beetle and it is not nearly as special.
It might be bejewelled Louis but it looks a bit nasty to me. I have stayed at the park. Good innit?
Louis: Verrry good, gutteridge. In the grips of a drought at the moment - some parts we saw, were quite bleak. Bug is not nasty.
What a beautiful little bug Louis. You did well
Louis: Thanks a lot, cornishmaid
Well I think you've made a great job of taking this exquisite little character Louis, it's so unusual.
Louis: Thank you Brian. Took me some time to identify the insect, because it is a nymph. Since it is shaped like a lady bug I thought of it as an adult. Started to think I discovered something new ... but alas not.
I have never ever seen such fantastic colours on an insect, brilliant capture
Louis: Thank you Martin - quite a bright specimen.
This is excellent, Louis! What great colours. What plant is the biofuel the project is growing?
Louis: Thank you Mary. It is the jatropha plant - also called a nettlespurge.
Looks pretty good to me Louis. It is extremely difficult to get all of an insect sharply in focus, even Ray seldom manages it. But as a pictogram shot as opposed to one for a textbook this is a cracking picture
Louis: Thanks for the moral support, Bill. Take a look at these pictures http://www.outdoorphoto.community/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=572 That is where the quality of my pictures should be. I sort of find it depressing that every time, that I try some macro's, there are issues and then I don't do it any more for another three years.
wow, that's a stunner, Louis.
Louis: Thank you Ayush
  • Aged
  • Belgium
  • 19 Nov 2015, 21:08
Great shot!
Louis: Thank you m'sieu Aged
i really do like this image.
Louis: Thank you Jacquelyn Ann.

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for this photo I'm in a any and all comments icon ShMood©
camera Canon EOS 500D
exposure mode aperture priority
shutterspeed 1/500s
aperture f/5.6
sensitivity ISO200
focal length 105.0mm
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