Some images from today...

[dpastern]

Yes, I've been busy. Had a good day in the garden, lots of nice things :)

1. Nice looking Butterfly, couldn't get too close, it took off after this shot. This is a 100% crop. Sigma 150mm used here.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2095427530_a10046f1a9_o.jpg

2. This shot I really like - colours, lighting and composition. I can never remember what the name of this bug is, although Brian has told me a few times ;) Looks like a pregnant female as well.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2095428268_8ecaf9ef0d_o.jpg

3. A nice friendly tiny hoverfly, about 5mm long. Looked like a pregnant female as well (you can't really tell from this particular shot). Quite like this shot as well.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2095428950_419bdf7708_o.jpg

4. A lynx spider waiting on prey to come by. I love the way that they perch like this. Really happy with this shot as well.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2095429640_191d5192cf_o.jpg

5. Another friendly Grasshopper shot - he was having a good feed and was very relaxed around me.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2095439422_d8b7d80ea3_o.jpg

6. Another fly shot, quite happy with this one as well. Like the composition and lighting and the contrast of the fly against the flower petals.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2095438648_c488992eab_o.jpg

Dave

[S7000]

Gotta go with those bright blue eyes...Great shot!!! & series.

[dpastern]

Thanks Phil :) I'm managing some half decent shots of late, pretty happy with myself and my luck in the gardens.

Dave

[Photogirl2007]

Wow Dave!! An excellent day by the looks of it. I especially like the butterfly but the hoverfly is brilliant too....but actually I like the grasshopper, and the spider.....okay, you win, they are all brilliant. LOL!!

[dpastern]

lol Joan, wouldn't go so far as to say brilliant, but I'm pretty pleased with the days efforts. I went from having six images to process at the start of the day, to around 20. Thanks for the very kind words, you're making me blush here!

Dave

[Photogirl2007]

I mean every word of it and cannot see you blushing. LOL!! You will notice if I do not like pics I do not comment on them.

[Mike4BekA]

The colors in number 5 and the overall picture just do it for me! NIce series as well but number 5 gets my vote as the blue ribbon winner

[GaryT]

Great series Dave. You've captured some beautiful colors there, and lighting is great.

[bandit 1]

Hiya Dave,

Excellent series of shots again, super lighting & colours, I can't actually pick a favorite as I love em all.

Cheers for now
Mark

[Greg_C]

Great work Dave, I especially like the hover but all a re very good. The colours in them are super.

[troypiggo]

Nice. All of them. The hoverfly is my fav.

[racketman]

good series, particularly like the hoverfly and the last shot; lighting looks natural.

[LordV]

Excellent series Dave- lovely compositions light and colour - esp like the last 2. You still using a naked flash ?
Brian V.

[Bill Pham]

wow Dave nice series. like 3 and the last one the best.

Bill

[skylab]

Great set Dave. Like them all. Esp like the grasshopper.

[dpastern]

Thanks guys for the kind words :) :) :)

Brian & Toby - extra thanks! Yes, the lighting does look very natural doesn't it? I'm using the 430ex on the Mark IIn's hotshoe, no diffuser at all. Generally, I have the FEC set to either 0, or +1/3, depending on the shot. For some shots I'll drop it to -1/3. I'm just surprised at how much better the lighting is from the 430ex mounted on the hotshoe, without diffusion, than what it is using the offshoe adaptor/flash bracket/diffuser. To get the same softness of light with the latter setup, I have to underexpose the shots by close to a stop I've found. It's weird...

Dave

[Attic]

Nice varied set of insects, I can't remember the last time I saw than many species in one day over here, roll on spring ;)

[dpastern]

Well, it's Summer here of course Alby. These shots were taking over a period of 4 or so hours. If I looked harder, I'd have probably seen an even larger variety of Insects ;) Not trying to make you jealous or anything, I find that there's so much life in the garden, and it's really a matter of training the eyes and senses to spot it all.

Dave

[LindaB]

Another superb set of shots - my goodness you really have been busy snapping, I wish we had some of that lovely sunshine here lol.

That gorgeous pink flower again really does complement that little fly.

Im not surprised you are happy with these, a great set of shots.

Linda

[dpastern]

Thanks again Linda :) :) I have my good and bad days, sometimes I find very little, other days it's a veritable treasure trove!

Dave

[alliec]

Wonderful series of images Dave. The grasshopper is my favourite if this set. Your producing wonderful images. Look forward to the next set.

[dpastern]

Thanks Alistair - I'm being very lucky at the moment in seeing lots of nice insects, and the lighting has been good, and this Mark IIn with the flash on the hotshoe is just magic in terms of lighting. Who needs a diffuser ;)

Dave

[lcpete]

Hi Dave thats a really great series of shots can see why you are pleased with them
I can see why you like the second shot, but the third is a wonderful shot too great composition and a superb background
Pete