Category Archives: Hymenoptera

On with some inter-web finds from the last week…

♦ If you are a macro photographer, one of the best ways to increase opportunities to photograph insects is to have a diversely planted naturalistic garden. You need only step outside your door for subject matter: so easy when you can’t find the time to get out to wilder places. For an example of what you can do, check out this video by John Dunstan, for his proposed “Insect Garden Channel‘:

♦ Here are some timely fact-sheets for spring, from the Xerces Society, which is devoted to invertebrate conservation:

• Nests for Native Bees
• Tunnel Nest Construction and Management

and for those with sub-urban, acreage or farm properties:

• Overview
• Bee Forage
• Bee Nests
• Pesticides

Be sure to visit the  Xerces Society for more information on how to make your local environment more friendly to butterflies and bees.

♦ As I have mentioned before, I have yearned to do high-speed in-flight insect photography since I first read Stephan Dalton’s book, Caught in Motion. High Speed Nature Photography 30 years ago. Stephan Dalton’s system was engineered from the ground up, at an estimated value of over $30 000 dollars! How times have changed…

Cognisys, manufacturers of Stopshot and Stackshot now have the magic ingredient for successful daytime high-speed in-flight insect photography: a high-speed shutter. That means the Stopshot system can now be sold as a new package, the Cognisys Insect Rig. Here is what it looks like:

Cognisys Insect Rig

Visit Linden Gledhil’s Insects in Flight gallery to see what can be done. This rig is sold at a cost of a mere $2300!

(No doubt well worth the price, but,… ahem…would anyone care to sponsor me to obtain this delightful system?)

♦ An interview I had earlier this year is now an article at PhotoEd Magazine. PhotoEd is a Canadian magazine aimed at educational institutions and features established and up-and-coming Canadian photographers. It’s a good article with excellent photo reproductions and  am very pleased with the results. Below is a glimpse of the article. The magazine can be purchased at Chapters/Indigo or through subscription at PhotoEd. I will also have free copies available for anyone who attends the next few small-group workshops.

When Felix Rosso sent his questionnaire he included the following statement, which not only goes to the heart of why I began blogging, but speaks to all photographers, artists and any one else who has taken the path of self-directed learning:

“I like your logo quote “Splendour awaits.” It does not come to us – we need to search it out. Your self-directed learning is inspiring – education is too important an endeavour to put in the hands of others. I have been in education for over 40 years and have always recognized the power of the individual following his/her interests. “

“It does not come to us – we need to search it out.”

Words to live by.

♦ And ending on a personal note: how fairs the season for bugs and blooms?

The last week has seen a warming trend, but still far below seasonal averages. The week ahead looks more promising:

I may be able to get the pond ‘flowing’ again and begin the many garden chores of spring. Most yards that are not facing south will still have lots of snow cover, or be wet, so this is not the time for lawn care (if you still have such an archaic feature in your garden)! Soil compaction can be a danger now, so use a planks to create walkways to do your chores if the soil it still wet. In central Alberta and north , this will be the week to:

• complete pruning of trees and shrubs
• renovate old  hedges
• clean-out eavestroughs
• set-up rain barrels
• clean-out and/or place nest boxes for birds
• set up new bee hotels, renovate old bee hotels
• clean and fill bird-baths

So far few bugs, one lone centipede that scurried away as I moved an old clay pot. Looking forward to more soon!