Thought this might be of interest- the mess on top of one of my water barrels where I take many of my winter macro shots. Bits of fruit, plastic lizards, clay flower pot on piece of pond filter to keep the surface damp etc. Springtails and small flies love it !. I often put some spots of honey on the shoulder of the barrel. The curved edges of the barrel enable me to rest the lens on the barrel and get very low level shots of many of the bugs. There are two flies and one very oof springtail on there at the moment. The springtails tend to disappear as the surfaces dry during the day.
My compost bins are next to this and act as a good source of bugs.
Excellent Brian! I do something similar when I'm out on my mother in law's farm. But I got into some trouble with some honey once -came close to emptying out a hive...
Dalantech wrote:
Excellent Brian! I do something similar when I'm out on my mother in law's farm. But I got into some trouble with some honey once -came close to emptying out a hive...
Yes wouldn't want to try that with a beehive nearby wonder if you can attract bugs with those humming bird feeders they have in the US ?
Brian V.
O.K. I thought you took everything "au natural" but now I find out this!! Great idea I will try to set something up. I might even be able to set up my tripod with this ...Craig
LordV wrote:
Yes wouldn't want to try that with a beehive nearby wonder if you can attract bugs with those humming bird feeders they have in the US ?
Brian V.
Growing up we had many a hbird feeder with more wasps than hummers. I have also witnessed an enormous mantis lie in wait on a feeder and actually try to take down a small hummer. However, I am quite certain that the best way to attract insects is to plan a nice dinner party on the patio and invite friends that are deathly afraid of all bugs.
Craig Solin wrote:
O.K. I thought you took everything "au natural" but now I find out this!! Great idea I will try to set something up. I might even be able to set up my tripod with this ...Craig
Well nearly "au naturelle" - the springtails were on the barrel lid before I started playing but sections of fruit do attract other bugs
Brian V.
I do not know what my wife would think of me doing something like this she thinks I mad enough now having a worm farm. Hmm never thought there might be some potential in the worm farm. Do you harass the grand children fot the plastic lizards
hydrotoast wrote:
I do not know what my wife would think of me doing something like this she thinks I mad enough now having a worm farm. Hmm never thought there might be some potential in the worm farm. Do you harass the grand children fot the plastic lizards
I'm old enough not to worry what the wife and neighbours think - they just think I'm bonkers
No the lizards were bought for christmas cracker fillers (by me) but the wife was not impressed - thought it might give some people heart attacks.
Patrick Brown wrote:
Hehe, great idea about setting out fruit, etc for attractants. I kinda have to wait till spring seeming that we have 5 feet of snow outside
Perhaps slightly cheating but it does attract them and also makes them easier to photograph as they are less easily spooked when feeding
wonder if you can attract bugs with those humming bird feeders they have in the US ?
