What is buzzing or flying near you today??

Capney we some some of that sun up here!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardly seen a blink for the past ten days - I keep finding soggy bees trying to dry themselves out.

Spotted a mass of aphids on a nasturtium today. Just a horrible black mass until you get in close and can see them with their noses in the trough!


Then I spotted this ant guzzling on the honeydew the aphids were producing

 

Dave. those pictures must be at 1:1 macro if not more
What lens you using?
Robert

 

Those are amazing pics Dave.

 

Well spotted Robert:thumb:
It's a Sigma 50mm f2.8 DG Macro. ( I found a source that could supply one at a good bit below list price)

Due to the low light levels recently it's very difficult to get much depth of field even with ISO up at 800.
I think a ring flash is next on the shopping/Santa list:D

Paul - that ant was only about 3 or 4 mm long and it was guzzling the honeydew excreted by the aphid it is on top of. I took a sequence of pics and it looked like the ant was 'milking' the aphid by stroking it.

 

Im so envious of your lovely pics. I must invest in a good camera. Having said that,would i Know how to use it?:rolleyes: 02

 

Great close ups Dave the ants do indeed stroke the aphids to induce the production of honeydew they in effect milk them, they will also transfer the aphids from plant to plant and defend them aganst predators such as ladybird larvae.

 

Great shots everyone

What brilliant close-ups of the aphids and the ant, Dave :thumb: It's like looking in on another world. Thanks for sharing.

 

Froghopper -

 

:thumb:Nice shot. Would that be a Fly, unable to Hover then in all that wind:D

 

Just seen this chap on the patio

 

Snapped this Secada in Spain the other day.