Not so much a technique Problem

[wolfie]

Not so much a technique Problem, more a lack of subject matter.

I'm not sure if this is a problem associated with where I live on the East Coast, but there are no bugs/butterflies to be seen, let alone photograph.

A few months ago I upgraded to the Canon 100mm IS macro lens, but so far have only been able to photograph flowers with the exception of two butterflies and one dragonfly.

I go out on a regular basis in the hope of finding some bugs. The local nature reserves and also the many Land Drains/ rivers. are totally lifeless, bug wise that is.

Normally my garden would be alive with bees, hoverflies and such, so far this year I've only seen one hoverfly and very few damsels.

I must admit that this is the worst Spring/Summer I've ever experienced. Dry often sunny, but extremely cold, often quite windy and today is no exception.

Have just been speaking to my son on the phone from Manchester, he says the weather is beautiful with clear blue skies.

So is this just a problem on the East Coast of Lincolnshire?

Harry

[miketoll]

Pretty much the same down here in Suffolk. I reckon the bugs know you and I have bought expensive new macro lenses!

[wolfie]

You may be right Mike, but hopefully the weather will improve and the bugs will pose for us.

Harry

[Roy C]

Still fairly quite in my part of Devon. Just a few Butterflies (mainly whites). A few Darters and Chasers but Plenty of Common Blue Damselflies. I did get some bug shots the other day (Scorpionfly, Dancefly and Hoverfly) but they took some rooting out.
There is still plenty of time for things to pick-up though.

[Arthur53]

Dont have a macro lens so not beeen looking for bugs but birds seem to be doing well this year in Shropshire. Guess some of them must be eating bugs. Only one bumble bee so far, other years seen a lot more.
Wish you all good bug hunting.

[wolfie]

It would seem that there is a national shortage of bugs at the moment.

Birds on the otherhand, especially blackbirds & songthrushes are plentyful in my my garden, but it's costing me a fortune in buying currents and raisins for them.

Today is a little warmer, so maybe the bugs will start to reappear.

Harry

[walwyn]

Except for Leucozona lucorum and Volucella bombylans hoverflies have been a bit sparse, although I did notice plenty of drone flies this evening. We've got the regular mix of damselflies and dragonflies for this time of year, common, blue-tail, white-legged, azure this evening, plus black-tailed skimmer, four spot chaser, and a hairy dragonfly. True bugs are very scarce. Lots of bees though.

What I'm not missing though is the Clegs they were bloody awful last year, but so far this year I've not been bitten by one.

[Roy C]

Went out yesterday and there were several chasers and dragonflies on the wing as well as loads of damselflies so things are looking up. Still did not manage a good shot though LOL

[wolfie]

I went out yesterday and again today, but apart from a few damsels there's just nothing. Today was much warmer than Monday (very cool wind off the sea).

Hoping for better things to come, as the the weather is certainly improving