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Memory of summer: Wasp mimic


Memory of summer: Wasp mimic
Photo Information
Copyright: Jay Meeuwig (Shoot_Score) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 302 N: 670] (2376)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-09-01
Categories: Insects, Flowers, Bushveld
Camera: Fuji FinePix 3800
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): !Mimics [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-23 23:48
Viewed: 5150
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
With the cold winter settling in in a deeper manner, my soul longs for some sunny summer weather, when flowers < and insects > are plentyful:

From last summer we have another hoverfly, aka flower-fly or mimic-fly, of the Diptera family Syrphidae, on the flower of a cinquefoil bush, the Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), which is also known as Tundra-rose. Its flowers run from a pale yellow to a rich yellow. I think the hoverfly is the wasp mimic ( perhaps Temnostoma sp. ) Can anyone confirm this?

These flies have the appearance of a wasp and in that manner try to fool potential preditors, who may have had unfortunate experiences with wasps... Flower-spiders, however, are not fooled, as I have seen
a hoverfly trapped by a crab-spider.

This hoverfly is busy on a cinquefoil, right after we had a little bit of rain; so everything was nice and fresh.
More info. And in "Norsk".

PS I have also done a "sharpen to the bone" version, which shows the fly and the flower sharpened.
This sharper version is in WS. I personally prefer the "softer" one which is more the way I saw it.
star74, Adanac, Alex99, marhowie, horia, RAP, lovenature, bobair has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To bobair: sheep in wolf's clothing ...Shoot_Score 1 10-09 08:34
To Reza_AS: Sorry my friend 2Shoot_Score 1 06-25 14:20
To RAP: Obrigado Ricardo!Shoot_Score 2 01-26 07:48
To lovenature: Balaclava.Shoot_Score 1 01-26 05:12
To lovenature: Summer in the West...Shoot_Score 1 01-25 22:06
To Alex99: Soft lightShoot_Score 1 01-24 22:34
To anahory: Obrigado Pedro!Shoot_Score 1 01-24 22:32
To pankajbajpai: Thanx Pankaj.Shoot_Score 1 01-24 22:30
To pgmoni: Encore!Shoot_Score 1 01-24 21:37
To star74: Summer SunShoot_Score 1 01-24 21:33
To Adanac: Chuckles...Shoot_Score 1 01-24 16:45
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Jay,
Another beautiful capture.
I like the colors,details and sharpness alot.
Well done.

Very pleasant picture, good composition and the water drops add something special. The lighting is good, and that's not always easy on brightly colored flowers with a contrasted subject.
It is indeed a Hoverfly, but not in the genus Temnostoma. It is either Syrphus sp. or Eupeodes sp. I believe (there are several very similar species in those geni).

hi jay,
nice capture,
well composed,
lovely colours,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Jay
a nice composition of this hoverfly macro shot
always dificult to manage light and yellow colours but you did it well
TFS and regards
pedro

Hi Jay,
This is like WOW my friend, very detailed with great color and beatiful composition. For me one of your best, thanks.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2007-01-24 11:02]
  • [+]

Hi Jay.
Bravo. Excellent close-up. I like everything in your shot: impressive POV, crisp sharpness and excellent details of the hoverfly, perfect reproduction of the yellow colour tone and petal texture. DOF is selected skillfully. Lighting is soft and very pleasant to look. My congratulations and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-01-24 11:44]

Hi Jay

Another wonderful post from you, but this time a very nice and colorful macro :)
The contrast here between the darker abdomen and the bright yellow of the flower is really eye-catching here.
Also exposure is very well handeled, and despite the brightness of the petals, you've managed to not overexpose them.
The details are nice, but they could be a little sharper - but i see you noticed that and added a workshop.
The POV is great, the DOF is very good and the composition very nice.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Isee you've gotten a GREAT shot on this beauty!!
Nicely captured; nicely composed; nicely
presented!!

Colors are bright.
Details are "detailed".....

Good job!!

bonjour
la couleur de la fleur est un peu vive mais l'ensemble est assez reussi avec une bonne netteté.
laurent

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2007-01-24 18:55]
  • [+]

Nice compo Jay with very good colors and point of view.

I like it a lot: composition, POV, DOF, focus, color, lighting, framing, notes.

I like it: sharpness, background.

I don't like it: the lack of the values of the image (if it is that they were available).

Considering the use of a compact camera and without manual controls, it is a very good capture.
A cordial greeting from Buenos Aires... Ricardo

  • Great 
  • yllen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 230 W: 0 N: 16] (641)
  • [2007-01-24 22:02]

Hola Jay:
Adorable compo. Amarillo sobre amarillo, con gran nitidez, foco, colorido, profundidad y un adecuado encuadre. ˇCongratulaciones!
Saludos.
Nelly

hi
very very good pic...

Jay....it's not that cold is it....take off your balaclava :)
Your wasp on the Potentilla is a nice reminder of summer and it's just around the corner. Your image is sharp and vivid. Don't make those wasps mad...they will come after you.
TFS Janice

Hi Jay,
a sheep in wolf's clothing is this dronefly/hoverfly.One never needs to fear being stung by this nectar loving flower visitor.I have seen many of these around here in High River as well and always on a flower.Sometimes but not all that often you will see yellow jacket wasps feeding from flowers as well but that is because in cold weather insects are harder for them to find and they get hungry so sweets are something they go for.The flower this hoverfly is on is the one with those leaves that mimic another plant but of course is not legal to own or use.The details,colour and focus bring this one to life.Thanks Jay for this upload. Bob

nice composition of this hoverfly macro shot.

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