146: Green Sapsuckers

Mid-May onwards has seen the emergence of the dreaded aphids. They're always congregating on young apple and blackcurrant leaves, but also the buds on this Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle. They can encrust stinging nettles in near totality later on.
I dislike these tiny vampires, but at least they provide an abundant and interesting subject. What's more, they pack themselves densely and hardly move, which certainly helps with composing a very close macro shot like this one.

Settings: f/11, 1/180, ISO 100, P-FA 50mm 1:1.4, 70mm bellows, 1/4 flash, white card & foil reflector, tripod.

141: A Strange Flat Bug

...On a lemon balm leaf.
I have no idea what it is, all I know is that it's a living thing with tiny legs underneath a flat, lumpy, shield-like carapace.
It's definitely one of the creepier bugs I've found in the garden this year.

Settings: f/16, 1/2.5, ISO 100, 50mm Pentacon M42, BPM Bellows near full extension, 1/4 flash, white cards & foil reflector, tripod.

116: Cells and Veins

I'm not going to try and estimate the level of magnification in this shot; it's almost microscopic. A reversed wideangle coupled with a set of bellows makes it possible, is not very easy, to capture some really tiny detail. The individual cells of this clematis leaf are clearly visible, though still very small and rather indistinct.

What's not so good is the significant softness of the image, even when stopped down to a supposedly near-optimum aperture. But that goes with the unconventional use of the lens - not how it was designed for.

Settings: f/6.7, 1/2, ISO 100, reversed Tamron 24mm with 55-52 and 52-PK adapters, macro bellows, 1/4 flash fired behind leaf, tripod.

110: Moth Pupa

I found this pupa earlier today, while sifting through some earth in the garden. I've been unable to make a positive identification yet, but I reckon it may be a Cabbage Moth. I have chosen to keep it warm in a jar indoors and see if this is correct.
It is definitely alive, as when I shifted its position on the glass, the pointed end started to squirm around! This was a little creepy at first, but I got used to it quickly.

Also today, I took the opportunity to use my macro bellows on this subject, and I am pleased with the results. I really should have broken them out sooner - as I can get very much better focus control with them, not to mention a superior, and finely variable extension range. These old BPM brand bellows have PK mounts (interchangeable,) so I can also use my FA 50 1.4 for macro at last. I may even try others, such as the DA 18-55 AL.

Today's photo is another right-first time shot, and straight from the camera, too. I took some other photos of the whole pupa, but those didn't look as good as this half view. At least I have the whole views for future reference.

Settings: f/11, 1/2, ISO 100, P-FA 50mm, 1/4 flash, 130mm bellows, white paper under glass, tripod.