Giant robber fly with blue wings

orionmystery · Mar 9, 2012

Giant robber fly, about 1.5 inch long. Biggest I have ever seen.

IMG_2748 copy by Kurt (orionmystery.blogspot.com), on Flickr

Love the blue on the wings.

IMG_2705 copy by Kurt (orionmystery.blogspot.com), on Flickr

IMG_2709 copy by Kurt (orionmystery.blogspot.com), on Flickr

IMG_2725 copy by Kurt (orionmystery.blogspot.com), on Flickr

IMG_2766 copy by Kurt (orionmystery.blogspot.com), on Flickr

More robber flies here: My robber flies collection | Up Close with Nature

macromac · Mar 9, 2012

Excellent capture! I'm surprised that it stayed still so long. I've not had much luck with these guys. Always on the go!

Infinite_Day · Mar 9, 2012

Nice robber fly. We don't really get any that big here! Question: do you use a ring flash for your macros? I'd like to figure out how to bring out all the individual lenses in the eyes.

orionmystery · Mar 9, 2012

macromac said:
Excellent capture! I'm surprised that it stayed still so long. I've not had much luck with these guys. Always on the go!

Thanks macromac. This one was surprisingly cooperative. Not sure why. Maybe just molted...or maybe dying?

Infinite_Day said:
Nice robber fly. We don't really get any that big here! Question: do you use a ring flash for your macros? I'd like to figure out how to bring out all the individual lenses in the eyes.

Thanks, Infinite_Day. Not ring flash but twin flash: MT24EX concave diffuser quick update | Up Close with Nature

Infinite_Day · Mar 9, 2012

Ah - OK. Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I will not have the free funds for the equivalent Nikon set-up for quite some time. I may try an inexpensive ring flash just to see what kind of results I can get in the meanwhile. That's a very nice set-up you have.

jake337 · Mar 9, 2012

Infinite_Day said:
Ah - OK. Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I will not have the free funds for the equivalent Nikon set-up for quite some time. I may try an inexpensive ring flash just to see what kind of results I can get in the meanwhile. That's a very nice set-up you have.

Do you have a shoe mount flash? You can always make a diffuser.

Edited: Removed the photo's I posted. Don't want to clutter orions thread. Sorry bud.

PixelRabbit · Mar 9, 2012

Great set! I love the first one, beautifully done.

orionmystery · Mar 9, 2012

PixelRabbit said:
Great set! I love the first one, beautifully done.

Thanks, PixelRabbit.

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Infinite_Day, you can try this inexpensive small speedlight setup. I use a 270EX (equivalent to SB400) on FMMB (front mounted macro bracket) on this one:

270EX for Macro - improved version. | Up Close with Nature

More Macro Rigs here:

More Macro Rigs | Up Close with Nature

cgipson1 · Mar 9, 2012

Infinite_Day said:
Ah - OK. Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I will not have the free funds for the equivalent Nikon set-up for quite some time. I may try an inexpensive ring flash just to see what kind of results I can get in the meanwhile. That's a very nice set-up you have.

Infinite... if you have a Speedlite, an on-flash diffuser works great. I often use a Lastolite 8"x8" softbox, and it puts out very nice light for macro. There are also the Fotodiox versions which I have used also.. much less expensive, and work well. Or you can do a DIY, as Jake mentioned.. lots of stuff on the web about these!

Amazon.com: Fotodiox 8"x12" Softbox for Nikon Flash, Canon Speedlight, for Nikon SB-600, SB-800, SB-900 Flash, Canon Speedlite 380EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, Vivita Flash, Sunpack, Nissin,Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonica Lumi
Amazon.com: Fotodiox 6"x8" Softbox for Nikon Flash, Canon Speedlight, for Nikon SB-600, SB-800, SB-900 Flash, Canon Speedlite 380EX, 430EX, 430EX II, 550EX, 580EX, 580EX II, Vivita Flash, Sunpack, Nissin,Sigma, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonica Lumix

Amazon.com: Lastolite LL LS2420S Ezybox Speed-Lite: Camera & Photo