Deer Fly portrait

[Steve Maxson]

Deer Flies are about 8 mm long and are very pesky biting flies whose numbers typically peak in July in this part of the country. They are very fond of biting the back of your head, but will bite elsewhere if given the opportunity. :( Their knifelike mouthparts are concealed inside the fleshy looking proboscis. - and, they have cool multi-colored eyes. 40D, MP-E 65 mm, 1/250, f/16, ISO 100, macro twin flash (diffused). All comments are welcome and appreciated.

[kostas nianiopoulos]

verry good looking for a bad guy , his eyes looks is something else all these colors great , nice images , evrything works great for me , well done Steve !!

[Dave Leroy]

A very fine close up Steve and I wonder what you had to sacrifice to get the shot.

[Charles Wesley]

Steve,

Great useage of the MP-E 65 mm. macro. The colors and sharpness really work for me. Thanks for sharing...
___________________________
Charlie Wesley
St. Augustine Beach, FL
http://naturesphotographs.com

[Jim Bridges]

<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CJ&J%7E1.JIM%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01 %5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" http:="" www.birdphotographers.net="" forums="" images="" smilies="" redface.gif="" border="0" alt="" title="Embarrassment" smilieid="2" class="inlineimg"></o:smarttagtype>This is one of the best images I've seen of a Deer Fly! The detail and color is superb. I didn't know the eye was like that...now I'm going to have to take a closer look at one.:) I know this scalawag too well because I'm allergic to their bite and get bitten several times a year in the late spring and early summer here in southeast<st1:state><st1> Texas</st1></st1:state>. Most of the time I can feel them land on me and swat them before they bite, but there are always those that get me usually on my hands where I don't spray and then let the swelling and itching begin for about 24 hours. Thanks for posting this image! <o></o>

[Julie Kenward]

Amazing image again, Steve! This really is awesome. I am trying to find a way in my mind that would make this stronger but really can't. The sharpness is so lovely and the "in your face" angle is intimidating but you can't turn away from it at the same time! Great BG and amazing clarity and detail.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Absolutely first class Steve, very impressive, I wouldn't change a thing.

[Mike Moats]

Hey Steve, very well done. Like the position in the frame, and great details.

[Norm Dulak]

Steve:

This is an absolutely stunning image. If you do nothing further with it, you have a winner. But I think that if it were mine, I'd probably clone out the whitish/greyish material near the critter's feet. I don't think it adds to the image and is arguably distracting. But wow; thanks for sharing!:)

Norm

[Nancy Bell]

Stunning detail, especially the eye. I was so impressed that I googled the MP-E 65mm lens. You must have been very close to this fly and yet it posed for you? Tripod or handheld? As someone who actually appreciates insects this is great.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Steve,
All kudos above are well deserved! Include mine in there:cheers::cheers::cheers:. For such nasty things.....that is a sweet eye! If I'm not photographing them.....I'm still going to whack them!!!

[Charissa]

This is excellent Steve. Perfect detail, BG and sharpness. Love the colors.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Outstanding image, Steve. I agree with all the accolades given so far. Very well done!:cool:

[Steve Maxson]

Thanks everyone for your comments. :)

Nancy - I often use this lens hand-held, but this particular image was taken using a tripod.

[Ken Childs]

A very fine close up Steve and I wonder what you had to sacrifice to get the shot.
I'd be more than happy to sacrifice a little blood to get a shot like this!
It's all been said and I have nothing to add but to say just how much I like this shot!

[Art Kornienko]

Killer lighting, focus and dof. I knew it was the MPE65 right away. Not much to suggest on this one.