Golden Tortoise Beetle

Charidotella sexpunctata (Chrysomelidae)
f/18, 1/30 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

This golden tortoise beetle (not golden during this photo shoot) was found during an insect survey that some WGNSS members participated in at the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center.

Charidotella sexpunctata (Chrysomelidae) f/18, 1/30 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent

First Merlin of the Season!

Merlin, RMBS
f/8, 1/1600 sec., ISO-640, 1600 mm focal length equivalent

A trip to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary last weekend paid off. I crossed paths with this juvenile Merlin, my first of this season, three different times. In this instance I had my camera prepared. He kindly perched long enough that I could swap for the 2X teleconverter. I think the 2X performed pretty well in this perfect light, but heat distortion was a major problem on this cool but sunny day.

Perched Merlin
f/10, 1/800 sec., ISO-500, 1600 mm focal length equivalent

Big Sand Tiger Beetle (Cincindela formosa generosa)

Big Sand Tiger Beetle, Sand Prairie Conservation Area, Scott County, MO.
f/16, 1/160 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent.
Big Sand Tiger Beetle, Sand Prairie Conservation Area, Scott County, MO.
f/16, 1/160 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent.
Big Sand Tiger Beetle, Sand Prairie Conservation Area, Scott County, MO.
f/16, 1/160 sec., ISO-640, 234 mm focal length equivalent.

Dashing Blue Dashers

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/8, 1/160 sec., ISO-200, 520 mm focal length equivalent
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/8, 1/200 sec., ISO-160, 520 mm focal length equivalent
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/8, 1/160 sec., ISO-200, 520 mm focal length equivalent
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) – f/11, 1/160 sec., ISO-320, 520 mm focal length equivalent

WGNSS Nature Photo Group Travels to Snake Road

Timber Rattlesnake feeling safe. f/7.1, 1/60 sec., ISO-640, 205 mm focal length equivalent.
Cottonmouth letting its freak flag fly. f/5, 1/160 sec., ISO-640, 322 mm focal length equivalent.
Missing Muppet? f/5. 1/125 sec., ISO-1600, 342 mm focal length equivalent.
Cottonmouth found at Larue Road. f/5, 1/125 sec., ISO-1600, 342 mm focal length equivalent.
Cottonmouth closeup. f/7.1, 1/100 sec., ISO-1600, 520 mm focal length equivalent.
Green Treefrog. f/5.6, 1/200 sec., ISO-640, 520 mm focal length equivalent.
Larue “Snake” Road, Autumn 2019. f/5, 1/100 sec., ISO-1250, 213 mm focal length equivalent.

Swamp Metalmark – Calephelis muticum

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/125 sec., ISO-640

These special butterflies, endangered or threatened across much of their small range, have their stronghold in the state of Missouri. These images were taken in St. Francis Co., MO.

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/80 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/80 sec., ISO-640