I found this little guy on my windowsill and transferred him to my white side table. A simple process you might think, but I refused to touch it and was too lazy to get up so I used my lens cap instead. Which wasn’t really appropriate but it worked eventually.
I thought it was a bee at first, but then he seemed too large and looked quite different to others so I called him a wasp. However, @heyjude told me that she thought it was a bee so I did some investigating and I think she’s right, so this paragraph is my edit to correct myself. Thanks Jude!
I don’t know what it is that he’s gripping at his head – I think it’s a tiny chip of paint. This little guy is a little under 2 centimetres long. I used my Olympus OMD EM5 with the macro lens – my favourite setup, and I used Lightroom as usual to edit the photos to bring out more detail. As usual, I have gone with fairly high contrast settings.
I’ll leave you with this close-up of his gossamer wing, which I find fascinating.
I did photograph a bee last year and the photos are quite similar – you can see that post here.
For Lucile’s Photo101 Rehab Clinic.
x desleyjane
musingsofafrequentflyingscientist.com 
Oh my goodness, I am in awe of the detailed beauty of these photos, Desley. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–you’re macro photography is AMAZING. The way you find beauty in the smallest and most unexpected places…I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Britta!!!!
LikeLike
lens cap?! hahaha! The detail in these shots is amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yah lens cap was the product of laziness!! Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hey whatever works. I would say lazy….I’d say…innovative….quick thinking…resourceful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, you should write all my job applications 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
that should be wouldn’t not would haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome shots. I’m definitely going to try this the next time I find a dead wasp, bee, or other interesting insect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Norm! Yes you just need some light and a good surface.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great images, but you say wasp? Isn’t this a honeybee? I think of wasps being less hairy! Or maybe they are different in Australia 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re right, I wasn’t sure. I did some checking and I think yes wasps are smoother. He just looked longer and skinnier than other bees but maybe he was trying to be a model 😉 Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m no expert! Wasps are more aggressive though, so I tend to stay a long way from them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I did get you some back up with google images. LOL. They definitely seem nastier. Lucky this one was not … alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really, really tremendous Desley! Your macros are always a treat. 💖
LikeLike
Absolutely unbelievable, Desley!! The detail is amazing and I love the white background – brilliantly done. And what a patient little one he was to stay out as you worked your magic 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Stacy. Unfortunately he had already left this world before I started 😝
LikeLike
Ah, I hear I was going to add “insect bravery” to your list of skills 😉 Actually, I think I still will – alive or not, they make me squeamish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! You should have seen my face while tying to move it 😝
LikeLike
LOL!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! So much detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tildy 😊
LikeLike
all very cool images, you are definitely getting good at closeups! I love that last wing shot!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks me too. Actually I entered that one into a photo comp. 😬😬
LikeLike
good luck…!!! let me know if you win
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I will!
LikeLike
Stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I loved doing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DJ, this wasp-bee is zen. It’s doing yoga asanas/poses. Truly.
But tell me just one thing, handheld again? Of course.
I bow to the Queen and Empress!
Stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL thank you. Yes handheld, but resting on a tabletop and balancing on my lens cap to get the required angle 😉😉
LikeLike
I read a review this week comparing all olympus. Guess what, the EM5, contrary to mine the EM10, has a stabilizing system which is better and allows for sharper handheld macro photography! You see, even there you win! Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yes it truly is an amazing camera. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I love what you do. Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person