Green eyes

Before Christmas I got hold of an Olympus TG-6 camera. I'd seen and heard all the fuss around its in-camera focus stacking and its amazing close focus abilities and I thought that I would be able to put it to good use especially on taking shots of beetle specimens.

Like with any camera, it's isn't a quick fix to getting amazing images. You need to learn what it does and how to coax the most from it. To be honest since I got it I haven't really given it much attention.

However, this week I've at least been taking it out and seeing what it can do. First off, I decided to beat a bit of hawthorn to see what I could point it at.

There were lots of Grammoptera ruficornis running about and I managed to grab a couple of shots where most of the beetle was in focus

This cranefly proved to be exquisitely beautiful viewed close up. Just look at that eye! What a perfect shade of green. The stripe down the abdomen and the aforementioned eye colour make this Tipula vernalis. (Thanks to Tristan, Calum and Ryan on Twitter for the ID).

I also had my usual sieve of the garden heap to find that a whole load of Lesser Earwigs have turned up. I always think 'staph' when I see them until I notice the end of the abdomens. They kept running about but I manage a shot or two that were vaguely recognisable.

Still lots to learn an have only dipped my toe into what is possible with this bit of kit. For specimen images I really need to sort out a suitable lighting setup, but we'll get there. Will just have to keep on practicing...

Today's title inspiration for you.

Lunchtime longhorns

There's not much flowering hawthorn at work but I have been watching one patch assiduously at lunchtimes this week.

Half of it has been in full sun and attracting all sorts of flies, bees and beetles. Along side the Malachite beetles and Anapsis, there have been three species of longhorn beetle.

Double figures of the small Grammoptera ruficornis but also several Molorchus minor and today a single individual of Anaglyptus mysticus.

All have been a rather nice distraction from a rather hectic week at work. Rather apt really as we come to the end of Mental Health Awareness Week. The ability to get outside, see some nature and uncouple from a computer goes a long way to combatting the worries and stresses that come with modern living. Plus they're bloody good looking beetles.

Anaglyptus mysticus

Molorchus minor