Ah, you've made me crazy !

[allenfr]

Snow on the ground still in Maine. I'm coming back from coffee this morning, and a bug, A BUG, flew by . I cannot believe the absolute rush, trying to get the camera from the house, think of all the millions things I've read on this forum, find the damn bug who was inconsiderate enough to MOVE, and actually take a picture with the new setup.

I'll call these my baseline, and I can only go up from here.
http://www.waterboro.com/boxelder2.jpg

[johnkermit1]

thats a good baseline!
just missed the focus on the eyes.
but a nice specimen, i shot some a while back similar to this.
i believe it is a box elder bug
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=480607

[sw2001]

Looks more like a Small Milkweed Bug - Lygaeus kalmii.
But I mix them up too most of the time. :)

[johnkermit1]

i see. thanks for the correction Werner. they look similar.

[allenfr]

Looks more like a Small Milkweed Bug - Lygaeus kalmii.
But I mix them up too most of the time. :)

I believe you're correct. This link, with the two side by side, shows it well.
http://www.unexco.com/box-milk.jpg

I have enjoyed the Forum so much for the information about the macro photography, I completely overlooked the fact that an ID completes the circle.

Thankfully there seem to be more than a few sites with enthusiastic people that like ID'ing.

Thanks

[macro junkie]

shame about missing the focus on the eyes..lovely pattens on the wings tho :)

[racketman]

I get that rush whenever I see a new species I haven't recorded before.

[LordV]

Congrats on the first bug of the year ? - good capture
Brian V.

[johnkermit1]

i bet in maine the weather is still bitter cold.
im soooo glad to be in sunny FL :p

[GaryT]

Looks like a box elder bug.