I'm so Pretty ! - (enlarge plse)

On July 9th, just before a thunderstorm and downpour (photo of

Water Droplet taken same day - this folder), I was relaxing on our

back deck after Gardening. I saw my dog Abbey playing with a bug. I

didn't want her to eat it, so I leaned down to get it from her. It was a

very small 'beetle'. It was laying on a piece of 'indoor/outdoor' carpet.

It was about 5/8's of an inch long. I decided to scoop it up with a

spoon I had on the table. I then proceeded to try and get a photo of

it. Poor bug, had no idea I was about to play around with it for about

half an hour. Every time it crawled off the spoon, I'd put it back on. In

this image it had been standing, and looking at it's reflection in the

top of the handle of the spoon. Just as I took the capture, it decided

to try to fly away (first time I realized it had wings). The side of the

bug is a bit blurred because of the wing on this side. I've got another

capture of it looking at itself on the underside of the spoon. At one

point it had it's eyes right down to the surface of the spoon staring at

itself. (that shot was not so clear). I used my onboard flash because

the sky was getting darker and the light was poor, plus thunder was

starting to roar and I figured I'd have to go inside any minute. I

should have persevered and just adjusted the camera for available

light. While these are not the best shots I thought they were

interesting, especially because I found out that it was a FIREFLY,

and I'd never seen one in the daytime before! (your visits are much

appreciated, thankyou, Gail)

At one point I flipped it on it's back to get a shot of it's underside

This is where it is looking at it's reflection on the underside of the spoon

The mat on the indoor/outdoor carpet is very small and tight, this is it as it was walking on the carpet

Pretty? Well, I'm not very fond of these kind of creatures, and I refuse to enlarge it. But the image is excellent though.

Regards

Eystein

To tell you the truth I am not fond of really any bugs. The only reason I titled it "I'm so Pretty' was because the Firefly seemed to be entranced with it's reflection.  I'd never enlarge one to put on a wall that's for sure. I have to admit I am fascinated with insects. But am not fond in any way of them 'being on me'!!! Thanks for your visit Eystein. But I have enjoyed many a 'magical' calm summer evening either at someone's cottage, camping or a concert in the park, and the fireflies have been dancing all around us, flickering on and off. I find them very beautiful in that way.

Hi Gail,

  You are the only one I came think of that can make a insect look pretty.  This is as well as all the image are wonderful I love the first one I think the best because of the reflection in the table.  Thanks for sharing that there is another way of looking at a insect.  Take care, Patsy

Actually Patsy, the Firefly is on the top END of a SPOON !!! (right side up) it is quite new and very shiney so it was very reflective. I was looking at the image as I write this, and I just figured out, in the bottom image where the Firefly is in the 'fabric' of the rug, you can the protective 'shell' on the back. It It actually opens up into 2 parts (with the lt. yellow edge) The left one is in good focus, the right, not so good. And the wings are underneath. It would be interesting to actually see it fly. When I was taking images, it opened it's wings twice but never really attempted to fly away. I may post the image where it has it's head and eyes 'flat' on the spoon looking at it's reflection, it must have thought it was another 'firefly'. Many thanks for your visit and 'fun' remarks Patsy!

wonderful work here Gail. The lens perspective is unique for this genre but what is really appealing for me, is the reflection in the water. it's the clean crisp reflection really enhances this shot. well done

I'm with you, Gail, having many fond memories outdoors lit up with fireflies.  I like your composition of it seemingly admiring himself. 

I don't want to 'brag' about how clean I keep my Utensils, but it acutally isn't water Art - it is the 'top-upper-side-of a newer Spoon'. Probably the fact that I used the flash helped make it more 'visible'. Many thanks for your enthusiasum. When I first looked at these images I had little hope for them as they are not really 'exacting' in focus. But I thought they were interesting enough to share. Cheers for now, Gail

Campfire and fireflys. So many summer nites as a child, they were such magical insects, still are for me. Any summer evening that is beautiful and you get a few fireflys sparkling around, that sure is a bonus! Thanks for visiting Donna!

Many thanks for your always 'happy' visit. I appreciate your input and your continued interest and support.

Very nice macro! Love the reflection!

Gail,  You almost had me believing that this was a pet.  That was until I saw your underside and other variations.  You do wonders with a macro lens.  I have been reading a number of your critiques.  Your insight on images is excellent.  Keep cool.  Larry

Hi, I enjoyed your remarks so much!!! Today I was taking a few Macros and had some fun. I am finding that I want to take Macro just beyond jus the 'image' of the bug. No disrespect to those who do just do the image of the insect, but I do not have the BEST macro lens. While it is good, I am seeing such great work by so many. While taking these images I found I was having fun and actually wondered what this Firefly was thinking. To think that it was looking at it's reflection in the Spoon amazed me. My Dad has always been such a 'comic' and 'jokester' as I grew up and still is. I think there should be some fun in Photography as well. Heck, a day with a chuckle sure is pleasant!! many thanks Larry for your kind words.

Hi Gail, Excellent macro! Best, Tina

What a wonderful macro of this insect. I have been trying my hand at macro recently but haven't been getting the best results...most certainly not results like this. So the question is did you set this up and wait or do you move around when you shoot these Gail. The exposure and composition is spot on. Excellent image Gail.

Many thanks Tony for your visit and support. Your work is an inspiration to me, so in saying that, if you are pleased with a composition, then I am very pleased!!! Kind regards,Gail

I do handholding which means with most insects I am moving around a lot. With this one I picked it up off outdoor carpet with the spoon, then played with it like a kid for about half an hour. I just keep taking pics at every moment I can. I tried to keep the Firefly on the spoon because when I first put it on it, it was transfixed with it's reflection. It was so small! I wrote you to tell you more, but the main thing is to keep practicing, that is what I have to do. I've finally built up more strength in my arm and hand mucsles in order to stay more still. For these shots I was able to rest the bottom of the Lens Hood on the table, that sure  helped. My sincere thanks for those very kind words of critique Joseph!

Fantastic macro, very nice work here Gail!  Bravo!

I've never seen a Firefly before , I particarly like this one with the reflection . Excellent ! Bill

My sincere thanks for your visits and fine comments on this capture. Most sincerely, Gail