Yesterday morning offered a good time to shoots some dew soaked spider webs. A quick cruise of our yards and fields with my macro lens offered up plenty to focus on. This small spider (maybe a banded garden spider?) posed patiently for me in her web.
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/5, 1/400″ exposure.
We have a prodigious bee balm patch over by the pond that is a favorite of all kinds of pollinators. We also have a family of ruby throated hummingbirds in residence this summer, and they were in full play-and-feed mode yesterday afternoon—zipping about above the flowers, chasing each other, feeding, and, very rarely, perching for a few brief seconds so I could get a shot off. Here are some family portraits.
Shots taken with Panasonic GX8, Lumix 100-300mm lens, ISO 1600, f/5.6, various shutter speeds.
This wonderfully colored black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia) caught my eye as I headed for a swim at Blueberry Lake in Warren, VT.
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/2.8, 1/500″ exposure.
Following up on yesterday’s “Dubious welcome” post, the little crab spider’s patience paid off as it managed to grab this honey bee as it visited the coneflower. I can only imagine the struggle as it’s hard to believe such a diminutive a spider could capture such a big bee. Quite the prize!
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/13, 1/1000″ exposure.
Robin & I paddled up the Rock River in Highgate Springs yesterday morning. This juvenile red-tailed hawk (I think…) was perched on wires running across the river near its mouth on Lake Champlain. It patiently waited as I got close enough to get a few shots, then took off to join several other of its probable siblings cruising and squawking above the trees.
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 14-140mm lens @ 140mm, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/800″ exposure
I’ve been trying for years to get a good shot of a belted kingfisher. These common denizens of streams, lakes, and ponds are quite shy and will fly away chattering as you approach limiting the possibilities of getting a good shot. Yesterday, paddling out of South Bay on lower Lake Champlain and up into the Poultney River, this fellow was a bit more patient with me allowing me to get in range and snap off a few shots before flying off. Mission accomplished!
Panasonic GX8, Lumix 100-300mm lens @ 300mm, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/2000″ exposure
A close up view of a chicory blossom reveals delicate stamens dusted with pollen.
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro, ISO 800, f/8, 1/320″ exposure.
This little blue damselfly was zipping about in the bracken ferns along Delfrate Road as I walked the other day. The shade of blue is quite striking to my eye!
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/10, 1/250″ exposure
This little solitary bee was diligently gathering pollen on a rough-fruited cinquefoil blossom in our front field. I love the detail revealed at the center of the flower.
Panasonic GX8, Olympus 60mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/8, 1/800″ exposure.
John Hadden Photography 