Thread-wasted Wasp
by Wayne Jones
I'm back online again after spending summer vacation with my grandkids and trying to get my computer running again in my spare time. Over the summer I did take a little time for shooting some of the little critters in the neighborhood. Most of what I do are "documentary" shots, which may not produce many wall-hangers, but it is an important kind of nature photography.
I always enjoy seeing the endless variety of pollinators that frequent the wildflowers around home. Some of my favorites are threat-wasted wasps (Order Hymenoptera; Family Sphecidae; Ammophila spp.) I wonder if the odd body configuration helps them maintain balance when they fly with caterpillars, which they feed their young.
To give you an idea of the wasp's size, it is on goldenrod.
Canon 5D3; Sigma 150 macro
1/500 sec. @ f/11; ISO 1250
Hand-held
Note: I just noticed that this looks extremely sharp online, even though I did not add any extra sharpening in the conversion. I think that's due to the high-contrast scene in full sunlight. I don't think it's objectionable, but I notice that some people are quick to point out when they consider an image "oversharpened." If that's the case, I would not argue with that opinion, but I hope you can tell me what specific image attributes make it "TOO sharp." THANKS
Comments
6 commentsI think this excellent image would be all the buzz as a wall hanger, simply outstanding in all repects. The larger version does appear slightly over sharpened in the main body area of the Wasp on my monitor but not the smaller.
Great post . . .