teeny weeny little bugs

[troypiggo]

I noticed what I'm pretty sure was a true bug in our laundry. Kept an eye on it and sure enough it layed some eggs on the door frame. Been watching them hoping they'd hatch, and they must have some time in the last few hours. Took some shots of the little cuties near where they hatched, then moved them, very delicately, outside to some plants. Made sure I took the opportunity to get some shots on the nicer green background.

All shots were taken with the MP-E 65 1-5x macro lens, 5DII, and flash on-camera with a LQ Softbox diffuser. Thought I better use that since I've been recommending it a little lately. :)

This is 1:1 lifesize - shows where they hatched from. Little cuties. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox)

Little closer. This is around 2:1 lifesize I think. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox#/photos/troypiggo/4992970062/lightbox/)

One at 5:1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox#/photos/troypiggo/4992970698/lightbox/). I really should record the magnifications a little better. You can see some of the shell casing still stuck to it's leg.

Just to give you an idea of how small they are, this is them next to my pinky. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox#/photos/troypiggo/4992971226/lightbox/) My pinky, not my thumb!

You have to agree they look much nicer and happier on green. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox#/photos/troypiggo/4992971630/lightbox/)

Second last one 5:1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox#/photos/troypiggo/4992971994/lightbox/).

Last one 5:1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/troypiggo/4992360809/lightbox#/photos/troypiggo/4992972350/lightbox/). :)

[DavidU]

Great macros Troy.... but.......what the hell is that?!

[Octane]

Incredible shots. :prey2:

H

[troypiggo]

Thanks guys. Not sure of the exact ID, but the adult looked like some kind of true bug (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_bug).

[iceman]

Wow, incredible shots!

[hotspur]

really amazing!-well done.

[StephenM]

Incredible shots indeed! I really love the second last one, where you've picked up the eye detail.

Great stuff.

Cheers,
Stephen

[troypiggo]

Thanks again guys. I always preach to focus on the eyes and strive to achieve this. Very difficult when the subject is less than a mm in size, the eyes are in the order of tenths or hundredths of a mm, and the depth of field is less than a mm too. Oh, and it's a moving target and I'm at 5:1 magnification hand-held. That's mostly about luck and shooting lots to get a few keepers. :)

[bloodhound31]

Way cool Troy! I love the ones on the leaf the most.

Great find.

Baz.