Early spring insect

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Early spring insect

March 30, 2013 by Mike Powell

Yesterday while walking along the banks of Cameron Run, a tributary stream of the Potomac River, I encountered this unknown insect. I have been so starved for insects (photographically-speaking, not literally) that I decided I had to try to photograph it.

The insect was pretty small and would fly (or hop) when I approached, so I decided to give it a shot with the lens that was on my camera, a 135-400mm telephoto zoom. I was pleasantly surprised with the resulting photo, which almost looks like it was shot with a macro lens.

I will try to identify this little insect, but am happy with the shot and am now convinced that spring is here if insects are reappearing.

Posted in Bugs, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography | Tagged Alexandria VA, Cameron Run, Canon Rebel XT, insect, Sigma 135-400mm telephoto zoom lens | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on March 30, 2013 at 6:28 am | Reply Victor Rakmil

Try bugguide.net. North American entomologists help you identify your captures. Also an interesting site in general.
- on March 30, 2013 at 6:52 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Victor. I’ll check it out and see if I can identify this little critter.
  - on March 30, 2013 at 6:56 am Victor Rakmil
    
    I am betting its a Tiger beetle.
on March 30, 2013 at 9:10 am | Reply Another Perspective Photography

glad you’re not “literally” starved for insects…
- on March 31, 2013 at 3:57 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I can always depend on you to “get” my attempts at humor. Thanks.
on March 30, 2013 at 12:58 pm | Reply Sue

I agree, Tiger Beetle. Very distinctive pattern, you can probably ind the species on Bug Guide.
on April 1, 2013 at 1:42 am | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

I love the detail and I am amazed you captured this without a macro lens. Great work.