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Collecting pollen (macro)


Collecting pollen (macro)
Photo Information
Copyright: Mike Muizebelt (Mousehill) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 122 W: 64 N: 183] (754)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-19
Categories: Insects
Camera: Pentax *ist DS
Exposure: f/22, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-09-29 4:53
Viewed: 1160
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This hoverfly is collecting pollen from a flower stem.

Adults of most hoverfly species feed on both pollen and nectar, but when they first hatch from pupae they only take pollen,which is used as the main protein source for maturation of their sex organs. Once capable of mating, males concentrate on chasing females and therefore feed mainly on honeydew or nectar. Females continue to feed mainly on pollen to mature their eggs, which they produce in batches over their short life-span.This has been confirmed by a study of New Zealand hoverflies in which the amount of pollen in the gut was significantly higher in gravid compared with non-gravid females.

For the photo I mounted the 100mm macro lens to extension tubes 1,2 and 3 to get maximum magnification. This is only a resized photo, no cropping was done. In post processing I added a tiny bit of contrast and saturation.
Fill in flash was used on the side to light the image.

Hope you enjoy!

Janice, dew77, sway, wishnugaruda, pompey, alford, pat, Athila has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marval: Hello Martin, about the lens usedMousehill 1 10-09 16:25
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3464 W: 145 N: 5943] (17794)
  • [2005-09-29 5:42]

Hi Mike, you have a beautiful shot here. So sharp with very good clarity. The colours are quite pretty too. But I love the closeness and sharpness showing the hoverfly touching the flowers stamens.
Yes, I do enjoy - very much thank you.

Very nice composition and beautiful colors...

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-09-29 6:40]

Hello Mike!
Wonderful macro,crisp clear and razorsharp.I liked POV,lighting and composition a lot.Very well done!Thanks for sharing...:-)

  • Great 
  • sway Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 316 W: 88 N: 308] (1212)
  • [2005-09-29 6:44]

HI Mike,
WOW.
Great shot. Excellent details.
I love the colours of the flower, it really makes the hoverfly stand out.
Awesome macro work
:)

Really unusual macro with the background completely taken up by the inside of the flower.
Very good sharpness, as should be expected from a macro lens! Shame the wing has been cropped off, though, but still stunning.

Excellent !
Very nice composition and cadre ,
Very beautiful DOF and colors.
Thanks for Sharing!

Hi Mike,
a wonderful motive with pretty colours. Also excellent sharpness, a pretty shot.
Thanks for sharing
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 787 W: 31 N: 20] (5002)
  • [2005-09-29 14:29]

Excellent macro, Mike. Beautiful colours and very good sharpness. I like it. Well done.
Rgs, Aleksander

  • Great 
  • pompey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 205 W: 4 N: 780] (2762)
  • [2005-09-29 14:39]

Great shot Mike, an excellent pose, with great colours and clarity.
The note is good too!
Thanks for sharing.

very fine details of the fly, romantic and attractive color as well.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2005-09-29 17:40]

Mike, this is impressive and very beautiful. Excellent dof, sharpness, composition, pov and colors.

A perfect shot. Congratulations.

  • Great 
  • CTP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 774 W: 6 N: 1107] (3183)
  • [2005-09-29 19:28]

Awesome Macro work Mike.
Excellent colors and details.Nice pov,sharpness and focus.TFS
CT

Excellent macro Mike! I like your composition and colors are very nice. Sharpness and DOF are great. Congratulations and TFS!
Helene

Hi Mike! Your patience in trying to capture a shot of this fly has paid off - you're rewarded with a very beautiful photo! Amazing sharpness, colors and focusing on your subject! I like it very much! It's fun watching them do their work!

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-10-01 20:44]

Hello Mike,
Wonderfull macro colours and light are great, Superb composition, Nice work !

Greetings from Canada :-)
Christian

Hi Mike, you destroy me with your pictures. What lens you use, to get picture? it is Amazing!

  • Great 
  • Athila Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 312 W: 238 N: 427] (1537)
  • [2005-11-20 15:02]

SLENDID MACRO MIKE !

You did a great job here. Picture is sharp and well exposed. Composition is great. And holding your flash extended on the left side created a beautiful and natural lighting.
Excellent work and TFS.

Perfect everything about this image with exceptional composition. Paul :)

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