Garden Safari

MattEg

MattEg

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Matthew Egan
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Garden Safari

It doesn't matter what part of the world we live in,
We nearly all have a little space we call our gardens,
weather it be a window box or an acre or two of land.
These places are teaming with creatures of all shapes and sizes,
from tiny little bugs to large mammals.
Your task is to show us what you can find.

It wouldn't be a safari if we didn't add the flora too.

Upload your images to the Galrden Safari album, then post them in here.

Here's one to start the ball rolling.

Aphid on Echinops Globe Thistle
MEPCRW_68540601.jpg

f8 1/250 ISO100
Canon 10D, Pentax K bellows, SMC f2 50mm lens.
Ex 580 with stoffen (manual mode @ full power).
 
I took this a few days ago. It was a really tiny thing racing around like a mad thing. I just got one sharp shot when he paused briefly and he was off again.

spider1.jpg
 
This my type of thread! :D

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eeeuuughghghg!!! some stunning phots but I can't make out the last one Hacker??
 
Just a rose with some early morning dew on it, no bugs. Promise!
 
That first shot is fantastic Hacker. This thread should come with a warning though :gag:
 
Some light relief for you then Cheryl. :D The critters aren't playing today, so I was just gonna give it up when this male Chaffinch landed. He was there for literally about 4 seconds before taking off again. I was using my new gimbal tripod head and just managed to frame him and get this one shot in. I'd definitely have missed the shot messing about with the ball head.

Chaffinch-with-twig.jpg


1/250th at f8, 100-400L at 400mm +1.4XTC
 
that's impressive :(

The light is great. Everytime you post, My hatred grows
 
Aw.. if I thought you meant it.. ;)

The light is nice.. but a bit contrasty to deal with.
 
I dunno, I think it looks good to me. I really need to learn how to proccess image s :/

How do you get the 'good' looking effect? ;(
 
Processing is really the same basic problem it's always been, to try to retain detail in the highlights without them blowing out, and in the shadows without them blocking up. Really bright sunny days produce the extremes of contrast which it's sometimes difficult to cope with.

I can't say I have any set processing routine, it varies from shot to shot, but I just try to get the detail in the highlights and shadows as much as possible using curves adjustment etc if necessary. If you get that bit right, there's usually little else wants doing. :)
 
I see, becuase I have noticed all your shots have a similar type of look, they all look so sharp and detailed, I just can't get it like it :/
 
Well to show the fine detail in these little birds, there are only two options, fill the fame more... which means long lenses and big bucks, or get closer to them, which is a lot less expensive but a lot more difficult too.:D

It's not all about glass either.. using a solid tripod with the right head will probably do more for your shots and get the best out of the lenses you have. You don't see weedy little pros lugging heavy tripods about for their health. ;)

I'm sure we can get you going in the right direction on the Twycross caper.
 
I hope so indeed, I think the trip is going to be very benifical for me :D

Atm I only have a little Hama star 63 tripod, the head is really not smooth, makes things difficult ;/
 
amazing shots ken, however i hate the bloody things, and i hope in the first shot, its dead.
 
Wow the detail in that kenco is stunning, It looks like it's just crash landed though
 
Wow! Some stunning shots here!
Though I dont expect to be able to compete with any of these, I should at least be able to take part in this, as Ive just ordered my 100mm macro & it should be here tomorrow .... wooo hooo! :woot:

Keep it up guys, your inspiring me no end!
 
InaGlo said:
Wow! Some stunning shots here!
Though I dont expect to be able to compete with any of these, I should at least be able to take part in this, as Ive just ordered my 100mm macro & it should be here tomorrow .... wooo hooo! :woot:

Keep it up guys, your inspiring me no end!
Click to expand...
I'm sure you'll do fine.....but remember, it's not just about macro......just stuff from the garden! AND anyone can join in!!!!
 
holy crap they are good
 
KenCo1964 said:
remember, it's not just about macro......just stuff from the garden! AND anyone can join in!!!!
Click to expand...
Yeah I know but havent spent much time in my garden this year and its really showing, lol!
At least with macro no-one gets to see the surrounding mess. ;)

Gulp! CT .... is that an ant? :eek: looks blooming enormous!
Now ants... I have plenty of those in my garden, if only I could manage to capture one like that!
 
This guy wandered into my garden... Before I fixed the fence.

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Tons of wildlife in my garden, though - and I have at least the basic kit to be taking shots of it. Should really be out there more.
 
Yup tis an ant Gloria. You'll be able to tackle these with your 100mm macro no probs. They're really tiny little things though, and you'd think you'd have no problem getting the whole thing sharp front to back, but not so.. even when they keep still, it's hard to get 'em all in focus, and even when they're sharp, they don't look it. I reckon they just have out of focus bodies. :D
 
CT said:
I reckon they just have out of focus bodies. :D
Click to expand...
Ha! ha! CT... I reckon everything will have an out of focus body when I start tomorrow.
Cant imagine an ant staying still long enough for me to focus... not unless its had some boiling water over its head first, rofl!
 
He, and his friend, now live in the field next door. Keep on meaning to take some more shots - although his friend is in a coat, so not as photogenic.
He was actually kind of helpful - munching on my oh-so-long grass. Should have left him there, really.

I pop over occasionally with some carrots - need to remember to take the camera with me!
 
found this little beauty in the garden last night. its not the best shot, i missed his foot from the frame, but as i couldnt see a bloddy thing and was using the light on my moble phone to find him, i'm quite pleased:)
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Bugs on a daisy

bugsonadaisy.jpg
 
A couple of hoverflies and a wonderful furry bee! :D

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This morning's attempt using flipped up flash and 'P' Mode ... gotta try these things ... :p

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I wanted to find a more original subject for the Garden Safari ... too many butterflies in other threads ... so ... after TdF I resolved to wander the garden in search ... :thinking:

Walking into the 'office' ... :lol: ... to pick up the camera this little chap ... believe it or not ... :suspect: ... was just sitting on the doorstep of the french doors ... :eek:

Anyway ... poor beggar has already been through it ... lost a jumping leg and half of one of his antennae ... and then forced to pose for me for five minutes or so ... :shake:

Anyway ... here he is in all his close up glory ... :p

Bush Cricket ...

RLG4862.jpg
 
Yeah, not my definition of cute... but a good shot nonetheless :thumbs:
Btw - what is it? I haven't seen one before.
 
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