20% skill 80% luck, 2 sec. delay on shutter, windy and a live fly on an orchid.

[JBW]

[Shadowman]

Very lucky, nice shot.

[DickyOZ]

Nice shot - I like the colours.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Brian,

I did (literally) say "wow" when I saw this, so it must be good.

Being my usual pernickety self, I could say it is compositionally 'unfortunate' about the dark area on the left of frame, but at times like this, all you can do is shoot, which you did and achieved a good sharp result.

Talking of the fly for a moment; the combination of head (eyes), thorax and abdomen look like a mix of three different species due to their differing colours.

Well done, Dave

[ScoutR]

Very nice Brian.

Just a thought, but, would a bit of a vignette help to camouflage the corners and blend in the dark side on the left?

[Rebel]

Awesome shot Brian

[Geoff F]

You are definitely becoming luckier recently, Brian.

Or alternatively, you might be becoming a better photographer.

[JBW]

You are definitely becoming luckier recently, Brian.

Or alternatively, you might be becoming a better photographer.

My wife will shout it from the mountaintop: I have no false modesty. I am getting better but the tree orchid has a stem that is over a foot long and the slightest breeze gets it moving. The wind was blowing gently but erratically. The fly instead of moving was (as you can see from the tongue) feeding so he or she was momentarily immobile. 80% luck.

[rpcrowe]

Great shot... You have plenty of room to crop this a bit...

[joebranko]

Great shot. Love the detail and colour!

[JBW]

Very lucky, nice shot.

yes to both

[JBW]

Nice shot - I like the colours.

it is the prettiest tree orchid in the yard and the fly is no slouch either.

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

I did (literally) say "wow" when I saw this, so it must be good.

Being my usual pernickety self, I could say it is compositionally 'unfortunate' about the dark area on the left of frame, but at times like this, all you can do is shoot, which you did and achieved a good sharp result.

Talking of the fly for a moment; the combination of head (eyes), thorax and abdomen look like a mix of three different species due to their differing colours.

Well done, Dave

I spent a lot of thought on the left side. The dark area is actually the interior of one of the blossoms. But to get it all in meant a much larger frame and a correspondingly smaller fly. You actually said 'wow'. I must be getting better!

[JBW]

Very nice Brian.

Just a thought, but, would a bit of a vignette help to camouflage the corners and blend in the dark side on the left?

Perhaps I have overcome my penchant for dark shots just a little too much?

[JBW]

Awesome shot Brian

Beautiful orchid, colorful fly and good luck, what's not to like.

[JBW]

Great shot... You have plenty of room to crop this a bit...

I stopped at an 80% crop. Any smaller and it seemed a bit crowded and lacked all context.

[JBW]

Great shot. Love the detail and colour!

I have been snapping away for close to 4 days and finally got this one.

[Rita]

Hi Brian, if this image is luck, or your improved skills, it is a keeper. Well done!

[NorthernFocus]

I rarely ascribe to the concept of luck. But if you were using delayed shutter, yes, one must consider it

[JBW]

Hi Brian, if this image is luck, or your improved skills, it is a keeper. Well done!

much thanks.