Macro and Flora Image of the Week for the week ending Oct. 25th, 2013: Jason Stander - Female non-pollinating fig wasp

[Daniel Cadieux]

Congratulations Jason!

Hi all... hope all is well?

This is a female non-pollinating fig wasp (Apocrypta guineensis) ovipositing into a fig.

This was one of the most rewarding macro experiences of my macro photography career. To witness this very tiny 2-3mm wasp to dance like that on a fig was very special.

It was not the most easiest critter to photograph... the figs are on a branch with no foliage around it in order to give a lovely bg... had live with a black bg. You have to be extremely patient to allow the wasp to land on the fig... settle... the she makes a few attempts to bend and then she does it... and to get them in focus a a very small dof... was almost near impossible. Well this is the best I could do.

Crits and comments welcome... ENJOY!

Canon 5D Mk III
Canon MP-E 65mm f2.8
Canon MT-24EX macro Twin lite (diffused)

Aperture: f13
Shutter Speed: 1/80s
ISO: 160

[maxwellmcauley778]

All I can say is STUNNING!!:sly: keep up the great work.

[Diane Miller]

This looks like a piece of jewelry! Congratulations!

[Morkel Erasmus]

This is great, Jason!