Eight-spotted Forester Moth

Eight-spotted Forester Moth

This is a moth that, unlike many other moths, is out during daylight.  I had never heard of it until I photographed it several years ago.  The spots on the the fore-wing are slightly yellow and the ones on the rear wing are white.  It was a long time until I noticed that.

Eight-spotted Forester Moth Caterpillar

I have even fount it caterpillar a colorful creature in its own right.

Eight-spotted Forester Moth

 The impact of many of my insect shots is diminished by the cluttered background.  I decided to try the technique I first used on the aircraft.  I like how it makes the insect stand out.  It almost looks like I used specialized lighting.

Eight-spotted Forester Moth

I think that I could make the initial selection for the effect a little more rounded.  You can go back to the shot of the ME 262 to see one of my first tries.  I think that the outside on it is too dark and could be smoothed.  It is a little too dramatic.  Of these, I like the first one the best.

Larry's Images

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook.

 
Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

It was sprinkling that morning.  You can see a drop just to the left of the bird's back.  You can see drops on its back.

Exposure was not so difficult since there was no direct sun on the bird.  The white is as near white as it can be and black is as near black as it can be.  The drop must have been moving quickly because the shutter was 1/1000.

Tree Swallow

The feathers are not blue, they are iridescent.  The light reflected makes them look blue.  I like seeing the specular high light in the eye.  This, as you can see, is a contrasty light situation.

Tree Swallow

I have my camera set so that I can dial down EC, exposure compensation, in this sort of situation.  I have to watch that I don't loose detail in the whites.  I also shoot in Raw giving me the power to recover the highlights in camera raw.  I also adjust the noise and vibrance in Camera Raw

Larry's Images



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

The Japanese Zero

Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero

125 Zeros participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor.  At the beginning of WW II it was better than our fighters in speed, range and maneuverability.  The reason being that in construction the Japanese opted to omit self sealing fuel tanks and armor.  The result was a light airplane which outstanding range.  It was, however; vulnerable in battle.  Their most trained pilots were lost because of these characteristics.

Larry's Images

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire MK VC

This is arguably the best piston fighter of WW II.  Pilots thought it the most beautiful plane they had ever seen and its flight characteristics were also loved.

It was developed out the pylon racing which went on between the wars.  It was ready for war in 1939.  It was the front line British fighter of WW II.  It went through many iterations improving range, high altitude performance and armament.  

Larry's Images 

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook 

. 
Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

German ME 262A

Messerschmitt ME 262A

This is the first operational jet fighter of WWII.  It was 100 mph faster than any piston engine fighter.  It became operational in July, 1944, only weeks ahead of the quickly catching up British with the Gloster Meteor.  These fighters were both kept at home for defense.  They never met in battle.

The ME 262 could have changed the outcome of the war had it been deployed earlier.  As it was, though around 1400 were built, only about 300 saw combat.  The problem was the engine.  They could not make enough of them.  The vanes of the engine needed to be constructed of better material, yet to be invented.  The engine had to be be rebuilt after 25 hours of service.  Also, fuel was in shortage, and transportation was being limited by Allied bombing attacks.

The Allied fighters could sometimes shoot them during takeoff or landing.  Chuck Yeager was an Allied pilot who did this in his P-51 Mustang. 

Larry's Images


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Exuvia

Slaty Skimmer Exuvia

I learned this word from Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northeast Ohio by Roche, Semroc, Gilbert,  The definition:  Exuviae is a term used in biology to describe the remains of an exoskeleton and related structures that are left after ecdysozoans (including insect, crustacean or arachnid) have moulted.  This is from Dictionary by Farlex.

I found three on May 23rd.  I brought them home to photograph.  This one survived better than the other two.  They are quite delicate and easily damaged in handling.  

I believe that this very well could be the exoskeleton, left behind, of the slaty skimmer.

Slaty Skimmer Exuvia

This is panorama which CS5 easily assembled.  I wanted to shoot another with the camera in the vertical position but the subject was damaged in positioning.  I have been looking for another one but as yet have not found it.

Larry's Images

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook 

. 
Feed 

If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Slaty Skimmer Teneral Male

I was into a situation where I was sitting on my metal milk carton in the pond.  I could not move because of plants behind me.  I wanted to slide backward slightly but could not.  I decided to photograph the parts of the dragonfly instead.

Slaty Skimmer Tail

I sometimes find myself wishing that I had photographed the parts more carefully when I am try to make an ID.

Slaty Skimmer Wings

I have a book for ID which uses the wing cell pattern to narrow down the ID

Slaty Skimmer Thorax and Abdomine

Please note the head of the exuvia in the top left of this shot.

Larry's Images

Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 

Feed 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.