1st Ant Photo

[Ryewolf]

I spotted some ants on the steps to my house, so decided I'd attempt to photograph them. These are by far the smallest things I've ever attempted so wasn't expecting much. Used my 100mm Canon Macro and both ext tubes.

To those that post those wondeful macro shots, respect. I'd used a piece of melon to tempt them in one place, I did get some funny looks from people going past... Anyway I quite liked this one...

 

[Ryewolf]

Thanks Ron.

[annie]

Ants are bloody hard, aside from the fact they are so flipping small they always are on the move, or at least one part or another of them are...so this is exceptional...

 

SHOT...

[Phonantiphon]

That's a cracker. And kudos for getting it still enough to seize the moment!

[Ryewolf]

Thanks everyone, it was waving it's front legs and antennae about....

[annie]

exactly what I mean..waving legs or antennae....they don't stop....

[Craftysnapper]

Nicely done and not easy at that size.

[colinb]

I.. Anyway I quite liked this one...

 

 

 

so do I, and I too must get the tubes out now the weather is improving

[Ryewolf]

Cheers Paul and Colin.

[Phonantiphon]

so do I, and I too must get the tubes out now the weather is improving

I need more macro bugs in my life, I've managed a woodlouse so far!

[PaulT]

Never even attempted an ant shot, so hard to capture. Nice one for getting the head right in focus.

[Ryewolf]

Thanks Paul, I was pleased to get anything in focus given how much they move about.

[ChrisLumix]

Easily as good as other macro work on here

[FUJI]

Easily as good as other macro work on here

Agreed!

FUJI

[Paul]

He's doing a little jig!  Well captured.

 

Paul.

[Ryewolf]

Much appreciated Chris, FUJI and Paul

 

Yes, I think he's signing 'You're twisting my melon man' in ant...

[Kobione]

Well done Ryewolf. They are quite hard to capture, as already said, both in size and keeping still. The melon was a good idea

[Ryewolf]

Thanks, I seemed to recall they liked sweet sugary things and I had melon in the fridge. I also seem to recall that when they rear up like that they are sending out pheromones to other ants - lucky it happened between the two pieces of melon I'd put out of bait - which I used to prefocus and then just moved the lens backwords or forwards to get the ant in focus. Mind you it did only need a couple of milimeters for it to go in or out. I basically tried anything I could think of, if it didn't work, it's not like they're 100's of miles away that I can't try something different another day.

[Ryewolf]

The ants that got away... While I was focusing on the other bit of melon I'd put out, I noticed this cheeky ant come running in and try to steal it, think it bit of more than he could chew...

 

 

[THELONGMAN]

The never stay still long enough fro me to get a sot, so well done you,

 

Geoff