Canon
Elan IIe, tripod
Sigma 105 EX Macro
Kenko 36mm extension tube
Fuji Superia 400
f16, 1/30
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Canon
Elan IIe, tripod |
| In a bug's eye | |
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One evening I found an impressive (but dead) insect wrapped up in some spiderweb outside, about 6 cm (2.5") long and better than 2 cm across the back. It bore a resemblance to a Palmetto Bug, the large variety of cockroach that we have in Florida, but it's not that species -- the head and proboscis mark it as a predator. I much later determined it to be a Giant Water Bug -- yes, that's the name (Lethocerus americanus), an aquatic insect that swims very well and can breathe through a 'snorkel' at the end of the abdomen.
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I hung onto it because I knew I'd do some detailed closeups at some point, and when a casual assignment for "Face To Face" shots came up, it was the right time. I was able to prop up the stiff husk outside in the good sunlight, to get some shine off of the eyes, and positioned to put the pond in the background for a smooth neutral color. Magnification is fairly high -- the insect is 9.5mm across the width of the compound eyes. Much later, on close examination of the photo, I discovered I had also caught the image of my arm reflected in the left eye, along with the grass, and the vague shape of my face in the right eye. Cool!
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