What makes photography an strange invention is that its primary raw materials are light and time.
~John Berger
My macro light has been giving me trouble for a while now and we finally put in an order for a new one last year. It has been on backorder ever since. I started looking at reviews online and found another option at about a third of the price of the one I was replacing and decided to take the plunge and bought a Godox MF12 twin flash and wireless trigger. It is definitely fancier and seemingly has some advantages, but it is a bit more complicated and I am still learning how to use it after a couple of days. It does great during the daytime, but I am having some trouble with night photography (when you really need a flash) but I am pretty sure it is user error and I hope to conquer that soon. In the meantime, I’m afraid you may be subjected to a slew of pics of bugs here in the yard and the woods for a bit (my apologies to the squeamish amongst you that prefer flower pics….you know who I am talking about). Next step is to create some diffusion to soften the harsh light a bit. Here is a sampler of some macro subjects from the past couple of days.
One of our striking day-time moths, the Ailanthus Webworm Moth, (Atteva aurea) on Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) – click on photos to enlargeChestnut Carpenter Ant, Camponotus castaneus. This large (up to 10mm) ant is found throughout our woods nesting in rotting logs or under rocks.One of my favorite insects, a nymph of the Red-headed Bush Cricket (aka Handsome Trig), Phyllopalpus pulchellus. This beetle-like cricket has large palps (finger-like mouthparts) that are usually in motion as it explores a leaf surface in search of food.Two-striped Planthopper nymph, Acanalonia bivittata. Adults are green (occasionally pink) with dark stripes along the top edge of the wings. On the back end of this nymph you can see some of the waxy filaments produced by an abdominal gland to supposedly help protect them from predators. Adults and nymphs pierce plant stems and suck up the sap.Northern Flatid Planthopper, Flatormenis proxima. I love the venation in the wings of this common species.One of the most abundant insects in our yard, the beautiful (and tiny) Red-banded Leafhopper, Graphocephala coccinea. Yellow-striped Leafhopper, Sibovia occatoria, a species I rarely see here in the yard jungle. This little beauty is about the size of a small grain of rice.Red aphids, Uroleucon sp., on the stem of a Green-headed coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata. There are aphids predators on the prowl as well. The black-colored aphid has been parasitized (most likely by a tiny wasp parasitoid) and has died with the wasp larva or pupa inside. But what about those other things?What I believe is a Syrphid fly (Hover Fly) larvae eating a Red AphidThis morning along our walkway – a Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona crucifera) with prey (I think it is a type of May Beetle, Phyllophaga sp.)
incredible photos! and thank-you for including a bit of natural history with pic. I used to be a ‘bug collector’ but eventually dermestid beetle families invaded the collection. Your macro photos are a much better alternative!
Mike, no apologies needed for insect macros — they’re my favorite!! I love handsome trigs also, and I sure wish we had those pretty yellow-striped leafhoppers here in Ohio. (I’ve got tons of the red-banded ones.) Hope you get up to speed with your twin flash soon. That’s something that’s on my list as well.
Roads End Naturalist 
incredible photos! and thank-you for including a bit of natural history with pic. I used to be a ‘bug collector’ but eventually dermestid beetle families invaded the collection. Your macro photos are a much better alternative!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Yes, dermestids did some damage to some of my long-ago collected insects. I also much prefer the macro lens approach.
Mike, no apologies needed for insect macros — they’re my favorite!! I love handsome trigs also, and I sure wish we had those pretty yellow-striped leafhoppers here in Ohio. (I’ve got tons of the red-banded ones.) Hope you get up to speed with your twin flash soon. That’s something that’s on my list as well.
Thanks, Kim. Not getting the power out of the flash that I had hoped, but will look online for tutorials and see what I can learn.
These up close and personal photos are fascinating. I may print some of them out and try to make art. Thanks for your expertise.
Thanks, Jeff. Would love to see some of your art of these prints if you are willing.
Wonderful photos, as always, Mike! You and Mary Sonis are THE BEST! Here’s hoping that your macro light arrives soon!
Thanks, Margot. Y=These weer taken with the new flash but I am still learning its operation.
Loved these! Looks like your new flash is doing a good job.
Thanks…guess I am learning.