A few more from the garden today

[James G]

I've been practising, trying to make my reflexes a bit more relaxed and natural when trying to capture shots of insects.
I'm trying for insects (hoverflies) in flight, and following recent posts, I'm experimenting with a canon ringflash on my canon 100mm macro lens. I'm still shooting handheld, but I think I will be getting a monopod soon.

I'm still not getting it right, but hopefully, practice will improve things...

#1 Hoverfly in flight


#2 Pollen gets everywhere


#3 Nectar Drinker


#4 Detail from image above...

[DanK]

Good shots. The first is a great capture. I know first-hand how hard it is to get bugs in flight.

I use a monopod and tilt head often. The tilt head allows some adjustment, by changing the angle, when there isn't time to adjust the height.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[JBW]

a good stout and right height walking stick of the proper width for your hands can make an excellent monopod.

[IzzieK]

James -- all beautiful shots...I am envious... and desperate for a 100mm macro!!!

[bnnrcn]

Very nice shots

[Geoff F]

Eristalis pertinax males as in your hoverfly shot do tend to hover fairly predictably at times which makes them an easier target than some others; but never easy.

Episyrphus balteatus males are another species which is worth trying a little later on. Sometimes I get better luck catching them landing or taking off but they are unpredictable at the best of times.

[James G]

Hi Geoff, Yes, I've noticed that they seemed to favour 3 or 4 different spots over the malus in my garden. Their eyesight is extremely good because every time I got the camera lined up it moved. Patience is definitely the required virtue!