Garden Guests pic heavy

[SquarePeg]

Currently fostering some black swallowtail caterpillars. Still pretty small at this point but it won't be long until they're tearing through my fennel and parsley. I haven't attempted focus stacking yet, not sure if I want to get into all that or just keep it single frame. It was a bit breezy taking these so was waiting for it to die down between shots. These were all taken handheld with the Fuji X-T5 and 70-300mm lens with extension rings and a few with the Raynox lens attached - edited in LrC and Topaz Sharpen. Feedback and suggestions always welcome.

1
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars by SharonCat..., on Flickr

2
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars by SharonCat..., on Flickr

3
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars by SharonCat..., on Flickr

4
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars by SharonCat..., on Flickr

5
Just dropping off some frass on the fennel
Black Swallowtail Caterpillars by SharonCat..., on Flickr

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Black Swallowtail Caterpillars by SharonCat..., on Flickr

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Some type of aphid or leafhopper - they've invaded my hanging petunias.
Garden 2023 by SharonCat..., on Flickr

8
Harlie came by to check out the macro lens
Harlie checking out the macro lens by SharonCat..., on Flickr

 

[terri]

Great set! I have zero suggestions for your processing because they all look great to me. I like your chosen DOF on each of these - great sharpness where it needs to be to watch these hungry little guys munching away. Lovely exposures. Harlie has such amazing eyes!

I'm putting a not-great-looking parsley plant outside for the benefit of these cats. I have some new pollinator plants in the ground but no one has matured enough to bloom yet. Joe Pye weed, swamp milkweed, bee balm all look great so far. I am just now getting my purple coneflowers and back-eyed Susans to bud out. Brand new garden in this yard.

The rest of my herbs I am keeping in my sun room - I am missing my old screened in porch for my potted herbs this year.

Anyway - again, great work on this set!

 

[SquarePeg]

Thanks @terri I’m glad I got these pics when I did. At least one of the cats was killed by a wasp. I found it eating the caterpillar early this morning. Nature is cruel. I might get some netting to go over the plants to give the rest a better chance of making it.

 

[John 2]

The definition in these stands out. X-T5?? Nice series. Lovely colour saturation.

 

[Jeff15]

A very nice set....

 

[SquarePeg]

The definition in these stands out. X-T5?? Nice series. Lovely colour saturation.

Yes X-T5 thanks. I sharpened in Topaz. Between my hand held wobbles and the two extension tubes, the dof was shaky and they needed it. Need to work on my hand holding technique!

A very nice set....

Thanks Jeff….

 

[wobe]

Very nice shots and colours, I also really like the aphid thingy - almost glass-like, beautiful shot.
I'm guessing with those eyes (but probably wrong) the last pic is a husky?

 

[CherylL]

Great set. Focus sharp and love the color tones.

 

[mikbone]

popping colour on the catapillars

 

[jeffashman]

Wonderful set! 70-300mm lens with how many extension tubes?

 

[SquarePeg]

Very nice shots and colours, I also really like the aphid thingy - almost glass-like, beautiful shot.
I'm guessing with those eyes (but probably wrong) the last pic is a husky?

Thanks! I think I misidentified that one. After some research, I’m pretty sure it’s a lacewing there to eat the aphids!

Great set. Focus sharp and love the color tones.

Thanks Cheryl!

popping colour on the catapillars

Thanks very much!

Wonderful set! 70-300mm lens with how many extension tubes?

2 tubes - a 11mm and a 16mm stacked. They’re JJC brand and my AF works with them which is convenient for outdoor macro.

 

[jeffashman]

Thanks! I think I misidentified that one. After some research, I’m pretty sure it’s a lacewing there to eat the aphids!


Thanks Cheryl!


Thanks very much!


2 tubes - a 11mm and a 16mm stacked. They’re JJC brand and my AF works with them which is convenient for outdoor macro.

I have the JJC 12, 20, and 36mm ones, and they are pretty good. My curiosity has taken hold and now I am going to have to do some experimenting.

 

[SquarePeg]

I have the JJC 12, 20, and 36mm ones, and they are pretty good. My curiosity has taken hold and now I am going to have to do some experimenting.

Can’t wait to see the results! If I’m remembering correctly I had better success with the lens zoomed out at 70mm with the tubes on to get anything in focus.

 

[slat]

Nice set.

 

[mikbone]

Thanks @terri I’m glad I got these pics when I did. At least one of the cats was killed by a wasp. I found it eating the caterpillar early this morning. Nature is cruel. I might get some netting to go over the plants to give the rest a better chance of making it.

have they formed into chrysalists yet?