Aphids for breakfast!

[StephenM]

Hi all,

I found this ladybird (Coelophora inaequalis I think) in my garden yesterday morning, helping itself to some aphids on a heliconia flower. These's also images of a fly, native stingless bee and a Dolichopodid fly.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Ric]

Wonderful closeups Stephen

Great work on the Ladybugs.

[stardust steve]

great bright closeups. I like the carcasses left over from the Lady Bugs feast and that Dolichopodid fly looks like he is wearing those old school Oakley sunnies lenses (Thermonuclear Protection) on his eyes haha great colours

[jjjnettie]

:) Beaut shots Stephen.

[bloodhound31]

Love the black and white striped fly and the doli fly mate! Fantastic!

Baz.

[StephenM]

Thanks for the comments Ric, Steve, jjj and Baz! The bugs seem to be getting a bit harder to find in my garden as the summer comes to an end.

Cheers,
Stephen

[DavidNg]

I really like the flies, you wouldn't mind if I ask what lenses you used? and if tripod was required for these kind of shots. I have a Nikon macro lens 35-85 mm but never managed to get these close.
david

[Poita]

I find the 105mm or better still the 200mm Nikon Micro lenses are a much better bet, as you don't have to get in anywhere near as close as with the 85.

[StephenM]

Thanks David. These were all hand-held with the Tamron 90mm macro on a Canon 50D, with lighting from a 430EX II speedlight. I typically use 1/250 sec, f/13, 400 iso, with the speedlight manually set to about 1/8th power. These images are all cropped a bit as well.

Cheers,
Stephen