Blog Feed: Bug Shots: A closer look at insect photography

More Native Beauties

Published on 2012-01-26 03:10:06

I just can’t go past taking a shot of these native bees.  They are just everywhere at the moment and many can be found at rest which makes for some fantastic photo opportunities.

Native Beauties

Published on 2012-01-20 23:23:47

Australian Native Bees are everywhere at the moment,  far outnumbering the honey bees in my garden.  If you can catch them at rest, this is your only chance to get a shot of these very fast little bees.  Often in the low light you will find them roosting in a position that seems unique to [...]

Leaf Cutter Bee

Published on 2011-11-08 05:20:52

Hi all.  It has been many months since my last post and I’m hoping that I will be able to start posting more regularly again.  Recently I was lucky enough to spot this small native bee which I’m guessing is a Leaf Cutter Bee (Family Megachilidae).   Getting any photo, let alone a good photo [...]

A Gentle Giant

Published on 2011-04-18 01:53:09

I believe this magnificent spider is of the family Sparassidae, more commonly known as Huntsman Spiders.  I spotted this spider on some pavers after heavy rain, most likely from being flooded out of its garden habitat.  These spiders are not web

A bizarre design

Published on 2011-04-01 23:28:25

When I saw this small caterpillar (approx 1 cm in length) I was amazed at the bizarre architecture.  I only managed a few photos as it was quite difficult to catch the whole caterpillar in focus considering the limited depth of field.  I am glad th

Small Garden Jumping Spider

Published on 2011-03-29 23:46:54

This small jumping spider (Opisthoncus polyphemus) is one of the most common jumping spider species that I see around the garden.  They are common amongst the palms and lillipillies, and can be quite well camouflaged.  I often seen them stalking sm

Hover Fly at rest

Published on 2010-12-20 05:17:35

The Common Hover Fly (Ischiodon scutellaris) would have to be one of my favorite insects to photograph as their behavior allows for some interesting shots.  Firstly, their ability to hover in one position almost flawlessly gives the photographer the

Caper White Butterfly

Published on 2010-12-18 21:56:28

I was lucky enough to catch one photo of this Caper White Butterfly (Belenois java) as it landed on the flower for about 5 seconds.  I must admit that Butterflies are probably one of the hardest insects to shoot as they rarely sit still for very lon

Guarding the eggs.

Published on 2010-11-26 21:55:38

Known as the Small Brown Paper Wasp (Ropalidia revolutionalis), these social wasps are not overly aggressive like other social wasp species. Although they will attack if severely provoked, these wasps usually stand their ground on the nest and are no

A Dipteran Duo

Published on 2010-11-07 23:50:28

Here are two common species of Fly that I regularly see around the garden.  The first is the larger Grey-Striped Fly (Sarcophaga aurifrons), also known as a flesh fly.  I am unaware of the species of the second fly which was approximately 5-6 mm i

Lemon Grass Lynx

Published on 2010-09-19 05:54:10

Lately I’ve noticed that the leaves of this lemon grass are regularly visited by several spider species.  This specimen appears to be the Elegant Lynx Spider (Oxyopes elegans) which I am now seeing more regularly now Spring has arrived.  I fi

Stingless Bee

Published on 2010-08-30 01:34:07

Here’s a few shots of a small native stingless bee which from all my research appears to be Trigona carbonaria, though I am not completely certain. I often see these small bees buzzing around bright flowers and finally managed to get a few sho

Golden-tailed Spiny Ant (Polyrhachis ammon)

Published on 2010-08-29 05:38:59

I’m happy to say that greater numbers and varieties of insects are slowly returning to the garden now the days are getting warmer.  The windy conditions here are still making photography difficult, but I persisted today to catch some shots of

Beautiful Salticidae

Published on 2010-08-11 06:04:02

I have definitely noticed a drop off in the variety and quantity of insect species during winter, though there has been no shortage of jumping spider sightings.  These little spiders are everywhere at the moment and I am also seeing numerous specie

A deadly embrace

Published on 2010-07-24 20:47:06

One fact about Lynx spiders (Family Oxyopidae) that never ceases to amaze me is their hunting ability.  These small spiders (7-8 mm) are certainly not afraid to take down prey larger than themselves, or even other spiders as I discovered yesterday.

Thanks for the feedback

Published on 2010-07-21 06:08:37

Hi all I just wanted to put a thanks out to Emma Springfield at Nature Center Magazine for making “Bug Shots” the “Nature Blog of the Week”. It’s always encouraging to receive such great feedback in addition to helping s