Shortcuts and Burnout

While not exactly linked, these are the two areas of focus that I will be covering in this weeks two Livestreams.

Apantesis phalerata - the harnessed tiger moth - image courtesy of Lauren Walls

Why the moth? My daughter sent the picture to me thinking I might like it and she was right. I thought you might also like it, so here it is! Celebrate bug month!

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Breaking News - for the second time in one week, Squarespace has lost a long blog post along with every picture and link. Just like last week, it happened suddenly and for no apparent reason. For some reason it left the picture of the moth but nothing from the 30-40 saves of the session. I may not be able to resist talking about this in the livestream - anybody know of a reliable website builder?

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So, like last week, you are going to get a stripped down version of the post because I have already spent an entire day writing it. The main thrust was to show some nice pictures while explaining the idea behind this week’s Macro Talk and Macro Talk Too. Today’s stream, shown below …

… is a discussion around all the helpful tips we get from well-meaning folks, but that inevitably end up costing us more time in the long run. These are surprisingly numerous but am going to focus on the nine worst offenders in the insect photography world. You might not agree with all of them and may have a few of your own but it should be a lively discussion with tons of useful information - here is the link if you want to come hang out for an hour - https://youtube.com/live/O6amzKmFT_U?feature=share

Of course the video will be out right after the stream wraps up.

I went out for a walk the other day and a tiny butterfly zipped in front of me before diving to the ground and disappearing. It was dusk and it took me forever to find the little hairstreak, but here he is…

a small hairstreak butterfly rests

And this guy was as cool as a cucumber - presumably because of the high level of confidence they have in their weirdly “back to front” camouflage. It might sound odd that a butterfly would protect itself by pretending to be exactly the same kind of butterfly, only backwards, but think what would happen if this guy became the target of a robber fly. The robber fly will go for the center of mass to ensure he hits something bulky enough to skewer with his mouthparts. The apparent center of mass on this guy is just behind his behind - the predator would be skewering midair. That is the survival advantage in these amazing butterflies - they make a brighter, louder, more “in-your-face” version of themselves on the opposite ends of their wings - the “antennae” even twitch just like the real things on the other end. Even the wings are backwards shaped, which not only completes the illusion but conveniently hides the butterfly’s real head. Definitely one of my favorite butterflies!

Thursday we will be talking about proven strategies to get your macro through the summer doldrums intact. Lot of good ideas to keep your interest when it gets too hot to do much outdoors. Here is your link to that event - https://youtube.com/live/HhBqgWEOLGI?feature=share

I have been doing plenty in the studio over the last few weeks and have a few really nice Optolux Solis images to show for it - this is one of my favorites…

an unusual angle for this weevil portrait

This Saturday is a Pzoom day and just in case you have been thinking about joining but waiting for just the right moment…

close up shot of garnet-flecked sand

It is something new that I am really looking forward to . I am encouraging everyone to come with an open mind as well as one or two suggestions for the other attendees to consider for spicing up their macro this season. We do this informally but I wanted to see how much we can get out of such an exercise.

Right after that on Saturday is the triumphant return of the prodigal Tangent…

I am very excited to get back into Fusion 360 with someone who knows what they are doing. That is from 12:30 until we get done - we aim for 2PM. If you want to join us here is the invitation - Allan Walls is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: The TANGENT is BACK

Time: May 25, 2024 12:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6916802815?pwd=TS9tZi9ZL1NXeVUvOUF4eTg5YjdlZz09&omn=86391174891

Meeting ID: 691 680 2815

Passcode: 678122

Join us - you will be most welcome - a few of the things that don’t matter - what platform you are using, how much experience you have, your haircut, to name a few. Come check it out - it is going to be fun.

I must dash - I have livestreams to write. I will leave you with something else I found while outdoors last week - one hungry dragonfly and one incredibly lucky spider! See you tonight!

Unseen spider lives to fight another day