Prairie Dock Again?

Prairie Dock

I have been waiting for this bud to open because it has a Blue Spruce tree behind it for the background.  I thought that it would provide an attractive background.

I shot three images that morning.  The above was the first.  I used f/16 and 1/20 sec.  It goes without saying that I used a tripod and remote shutter release.  I had some very cooperative light to boot.

Prairie Dock

I then shot two more Helicon Focus series.  I wanted the subject absolutely sharp in all aspects.  This is the one I chose to show.  It retains the background blur of the Blue Spruce even at f/16 and 1/20 sec.  Incidentally the ISO was 400 in all.  I used my Sigma 105mm lens.

Prairie Dock Setup

You might notice that I used a separate tripod to anchor the rose-holder.  That way the flower does not move every time I touch the camera.  In this case, the rose holder was not long enough, forcing me to use that other tripod.  I had to clamp it low enough that the clip was out of view.

A word about ISO

I could have chosen ISO 100 for this setup.  I think the reason I did not was that I am becoming a little more comfortable with noise.  I process some of it out in Adobe Camera Raw but not at the expense of sharpness in the critical areas.  After all, we used film with grain such as Tri-X Pan.  We got comfortable with it.  I read that noise is not as attractive as grain but I think of Tri-X with I adjust the noise in the raw files.

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Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars

 I found these caterpillars by the tried and true method. Of course, they were feasting on the Common Milkweed.

Tried and True Method

I was reminded that I am still waiting on a pupa from last year to give up its moth.

Milkweed Tussock Moth Pupa

I made this shot about a year ago as I am remembering.  I went to check on it and found it in my little butterfly enclosure (not shown).  I would think that it should emerge soon.  I will keep you posted.

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Monarch Caterpillar

Monarch Caterpillar

This is only the second such caterpillar I have seen this season.  I may have seen a Monarch Butterfly but was not close enough to distinguish it from a Viceroy.

Monarch Caterpillar

This one was on the Swamp Milkweed. 

Monarch Caterpillar Faeces

It is easy to notice if a host plant has a caterpillar.  The faeces collect on the leaves under where the caterpillar is feeding.

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Tadpoles

Vernal Pool with Tadpoles

The vernal pools are nearly dried up.  This shot is from several weeks ago when there was more water there.  The tadpoles were congregating near the surface.  I don't remember observing that behavior previously.

Tadpoles in Vernal Pool

When I returned the next day after a rain in the night, the tadpoles were not congregating near the surface (not shown).  It looked like they were all gone but a closer look revealed that they were there but spread out.

Tadpole

I use a little 8x8x1 inch aquarium for shots like this.  I purchased the cut glass and assembled it with aquarium sealant.  

Tadpole

I have discovered that my Sigma 105 mm closeup lens will auto focus in this situation.  That makes these shots easier.

Tadpole

I loosen my ball head enough that I can track the tadpole.  I enable servo focus and walla, tadpole shots.  It is fun.  

I want to redo my shots of phantom midges, shrimp, mosquito larvae, caddisfly larvae and other pond life as I have time.  From my years of caring for tropical fish, I was afraid to change the water on them without temperature equalization at first.  I now believe that they are more resilient than tropical fish and can withstand moderate changes.

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