I found these Ropalidia species of paper wasps, on a dry twig in my garden. I was using my Canon EOS 70D with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, lit by Canon MT-24EX macro twin light flash with a DIY diffuser to capture these wasps and their nest. The social wasp genus Ropalidia, … Read more
When Tamron announced its SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 lens back in 2014, I had reviewed it on this blog here. Recently when Tamron introduced its 2nd version, I was curious to review it. This time I was hoping someone in my friend’s circle would be purchasing it so that I could test … Read more
I found this female Fulvous Forest Skimmer (Neurothemis fulvia) dragonfly perched on a dry twig in our kitchen garden. It was a harsh August afternoon dappled sunlight falling over the dragonfly. Instead of using a macro lens I tried using a different strategy to capture dragonfly. Since many dragonflies are wary of approach by humans, … Read more
I found this Cactus Fly belonging to Telostylus species. This single fly was a tough one to capture as it used to disappear behind leaves as soon as its big eyes spotted my camera. I had to wait for it to reappear and disappear again. We both were playing hide and seek in the process. … Read more
Who would consider ants farmers? Farmer is not a vocation naturally assigned to these tiny insects. The fact is that they herd and care for aphids to keep a much-loved food in constant supply. Aphids and ants on plants are as interdependent as Idli & sambar. I saw this Camponotus Ant on the underside of … Read more
I found these major workers of Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) hunting a nymph of a cockroach. As these nymphs grow they are compelled to moult their cuticle, a process known as Ecdysis. After moulting, an arthropod is described as teneral, a callow; it is fresh, pale and soft-bodied. They are pretty vulnerable to attack by … Read more