Friday, September 27, 2013

Macromania

Macro shots from August. Hope you enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!
Monarch caterpillar




Skipper
Some of you have asked how close I am able to get to the subject with the Canon 100mm macro lens. The lens allows a 12" focusing distance, but it's not likely that I can get that close with insects. Most of these were at an average distance of 2-3 feet, sometimes farther, and were cropped in post-processing. Even when I am able to get as close as 12", cropping is still necessary with very small subjects. I LOVE my macro lens and wish I had purchased it sooner!

38 comments:

Optimistic Existentialist said...

The detail in these is absolutely amazing...

Amy Burzese said...

Simply beautiful, Gail! I love my macro lens.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Beautiful capture as always, I dare say you spied on some special moments with the bees. Thanks for the info how close you get with that 100mm lens. Hope your weekend is a blessed one!!!

Karen said...

Jaw dropping shots Gail! I've put the 100mm macro lens on my Christmas list!

TexWisGirl said...

you capture such beauty and detail with it! love the cute litte skipper. :)

Deanna said...

Loving your macro images...you do an amazing job with any kind of shots. Now, question, in your macro shots do you use a tripod?? or do you hand-hold your camera for these up close and personal shots??

Kim Stevens said...

Love the swallowtail caterpillar, I have a couple in the first instars and so they look all spiky right now. I have a 40mm macro and have to be downright inches from what I'm photographing, but I have learned stealth mode stalking (LOL). I'm saving for a 100mm....it seems to be taking forever!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh this is definitely on my "want" list. A longer lens and a shorter one...ha ha
Fantastic shots!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You are getting wonderful results with that lens. I am glad you said you cropped the pictures.Makes me feel better when i have to crop mine. :)

Shug said...

Morning Gail....yep it's still morning! and I love your micro lens as well...I get to see some gorgeous photos, thanks to this lens.
Hoping your weekend is a fun-tastic one.

Rosie Grey said...

These are so stunning, Gail, and the colours are so wonderful and vibrant!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love these! So beautiful. Your xanax comment cracked me up. I don't guess I will tell you about the time I took horse wormer. ...

Unknown said...

Fascinating insects, and great shots!

Nancy said...

These are all exceptional shots; one just can't beat nature in the beauty arena...And then you add your talent with that wonderful lens of yours and magic takes place....

Gail, I think you stopped blogging after I changed my blog and I would love to have you visit.....

eileeninmd said...

Gail, these are all awesome images! We all get to enjoy your lovely macro shots, so glad you have your new lens. Have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Gail, these are all awesome images! We all get to enjoy your lovely macro shots, so glad you have your new lens. Have a happy weekend!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

These are amazing! Oh, how I love that caterpillar! I think I'm as happy as you are that you got that new lens. :)

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful shots.

Carletta said...

Wow!
Love them all but the butterflies are always a favorite for me.

renae said...

Gail! hi sweetness. Thank you for the fun compliments.

These insects are amazing! I didn't know caterpillars had those rounded feet things. So cool to learn that.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and can capture more magnificent shots all the time! ♥

Stephanie said...

Great photos, Gail! I called my son over to see the insects since he enjoys them :) Have a lovely weekend, friend. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Wow - amazing and gorgeous.

Brian King said...

That lens does a wonderful job! The details are fantastic! A dedicated macro is definitely better than lenses with macro capability. Of course, knowing how to use it is the other half of the equation and I'd say you have it nailed.

Pallavi said...

Spectacular captures Gail! Especially the caterpillar. Amazing! :)

Stewart M said...

The 100mm macro is a great lens - I have a very similar one. I need to make sure I use it more this summer.

Todays post was taken with it - but its not a insect!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Hootin Anni said...

Stunning images...yes, I was gonna say that you're very brave getting so close to the wasps/bees....now I see you crop them. Great idea.

Starla said...

INCREDIBLE photos....wow

Suzan said...

Favorite is the lovely caterpillar!! Wish you were able to flick those wasp though!! Yikes - we don't need more wasps!!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous!

rainfield61 said...

I add extension rings to my Canon 100mm macro lens, I go almost 2 to 3 inches from the insects like spiders.

That is wonderful.

Donna said...

Stunning images...I love seeing the up close details.

Willow said...

WOW ~ I love your macro lens too !!! Great images.

Unknown said...

Amazing my friend. I sure do get happy when I stop here at your blog cause your photos are Amazing. Hope your are enjoying your weekend.

Hugs~

Katie said...

these are incredible, gail! i have the sigma 105 f/2.8 macro and feel the same way about mine. don't you love getting into these critters little lives?

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Words fail me! These are so incredibly beautiful.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Wonderful macros Gail and thank you for answering the distance question. Do you usually use a tripod?

EG CameraGirl said...

I definitely need to save my pennies to get a macro lens!

Wally Jones said...

Wonderful images with that lens! Now, if I could just get that close to birds.......