A meadow scorpionfly snacking on a dead caterpillar (peacock butterfly), next to (mayyyybe?) the cocoon of the parasite that killed the caterpillar.
'Blue Bristletail' by Tom's Macro and Nature Photographs
Jumping bristletails, order Archaeognatha (meaning "ancient jaw"), are an order of small, strange, vaguely shrimp-like, wingless insects. They're covered in fine scales, like butterfly or moth wings, and can indeed jump by pushing off with their tails.
They often live in damp environments, but you can spot them in the desert, usually under rocks. Most are tan or grey, sometimes with interesting patterns and a bit of subtle metallic color - but this is the most beautiful one I've ever seen. I found it on Saturday in Joshua Tree National Park.
I usually use a diffused flash when photographing insects and spiders, and shade the subject from harsh sun to prevent overexposed highlights, but in this case, the flash flattened out the gorgeous colors - so this is a full-sun, natural light image.
Like much of the blue in nature, this is structural coloration, meaning the hues come not from pigment but from micro-structures in the scales that cause only certain wavelengths to reflect back to our eyes.
This time of year there aren't a lot of insects out and about, but this little creature, maybe about three times the size of a rice grain, was a spectacular exception.
Canon T6 - Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6
Photo is cropped a bit as I wasn't zoomed very far.
I got myself extension tubes and it just happened to be THE season.
Tiny subject. No bigger than 1mm. 100 image focus stack. Essex, UK.
One of the photos in The shortlist for the Micro category of CUPOTY 5
Mitutoyo 10x NA 0.28, tube lens: ITL 200 (Nikon)
llumination: Oblique
The male have an additional chemo-sensor on their head, certainly to find distant females.
This species originates from tropical regions and can normally not survive north to the Alps (Bavaria). However, from time to time I find them in our kitchen, and I suspect that I "import" them by buying (ecologically grown) oranges or lemons.
These beautiful flies are considered to be one of the most destructive fruit pests in the world.
Found on Flickr
Sometimes called Snow fleas, they are approx 1/6" or 2-3mm in size and are rather difficult to photograph well with standard gear. They live in the soil and decaying matter, they also seek cover under Mushroom caps.
Found on flickr
Fairy cups lichen with blue bloom on black sloes
Found on flickr
Unfortunately the only jumper i saw on this day was a meal for this guy. As i walked up he was finishing up de-legging and de-heading the jumper =(
Found on flickr
Welcome to c/MacroPhotography!
Share your own macro shots, discuss different lighting and composition techniques, seek advice on equipment, and discover the stories behind each captivating image.
Explore the mesmerizing world of extreme close-up photography in this community dedicated to macro enthusiasts. Whether you're an experienced macro photographer or just starting your journey, this community is the perfect place to share, learn, and be inspired.
What is Macro Photography?
Macro photography allows us to capture the intricate details of the tiniest subjects, revealing a hidden universe that often goes unnoticed by the naked eye. From the delicate patterns on a butterfly's wing to the complex textures of a flower petal, macro photography enables us to explore the wonders of the small-scale world.
What to Expect
This community is brand new like all of lemmy.world, but hopefully it will grow into diverse collection of stunning macro photographs, insightful discussions, helpful tips and techniques, gear recommendations, and constructive feedback from a community of passionate macro photographers.
So grab your camera, experiment with different subjects and techniques, and let's embark on this captivating journey together!
