I have noticed many articles in the popular press this year about the alleged danger of the Harlequin ladybird. Some accounts claim that it will soon overwhelm most other species that are native to the UK due to its superior annual reproductive cycle, as best I could follow the argument.
Thanks for the comments everybody- much appreciated
DQE - can only say I'm not certain, I'm still seeing the same numbers of native species in the garden and i certainly do not kill the harlequins as some people have suggested I should do. The only difference I have noticed is that I'm seeing the harlequins earlier in the year now- when I first spotted them it was always in the Autumn.
The first couple of images are wonderful Brian. Beautiful definition and colors as usual!!
Regarding this lens: obviously it's magnification capabilities are top shelf! I know the magnification can go up to 5x but it's not terribly bright and you must be very close, correct? I am just trying to figure out if my typical subject matter would even allow me to be this close if I considered buying this setup (Canon body and the MP-E 65mm macro lens).
Marc- not sure what your typical subjects are ? but you get very practiced at being able to get close to insects without disturbing them when using this lens. Focus distances vary from 4 inches max in front of the lens to 1.5 ". This has both pros and cons, for example it does allow you to use the hold plant rest camera lens on hand method of shooting which you can't easily do with longer focal length macro lenses. Yes the viewfinder can get quite dim at high mags but you either get used to it or some people rig up LED torch arrangements to throw a bit more light on the subject.
Carl , like many insects think the numbers of ladybirds can vary quite wildly year to year - I'm seeing the same numbers this year as I have seen for the last few years. Mind you I do sometimes farm them - as I don't use insectacides, if I get a serious outbreak of aphids on a plant I often move ladybird adults/larvae to that plant to deal with it
I know the magnification can go up to 5x but it's not terribly bright and you must be very close, correct? I am just trying to figure out if my typical subject matter would even allow me to be this close if I considered buying this setup (Canon body and the MP-E 65mm macro lens).