As we move deeper into spring, I am increasingly walking around with my macro lens on my camera and I view anything that moves (and some that don’t) as a potential subject. I recently captured some images of a shield bug that I spotted on a rotten bug. Most often people refer to these insects as “stink bugs,” but I figured I’d attract more readers with the word “shield” than with the word “stink.” There are a lot of different kinds of shield/stink bugs and I have not been able to identify the species of my little bug.
The bug was quite active and I remembered again how difficult it is to stop action when using a macro lens at close range. I am pretty happy with the shots I was able to get. The first one gives a good view of the shield shape and shows how well camouflaged this species is for the environment. The second images shows some of the details of the back and I can’t help but love the simple, smooth background. The final image shows the bug resting for a moment, having successfully made it to the top of an obstacle.
After a winter with few macro subjects to photograph, I am relearning a few techniques and rekindling my excitement for insects and other macro subjects. I’m pretty confident that you’ll be seeing a lot of macro shots in the upcoming weeks and months.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
My favorite is the last one. Lots of attitude and the detail is great. B
Thanks, Victor. That shot was probably the toughest one for me to get, because the bug had been moving and I was tracking it through the viewfinder until it paused.
Lots of wonderful detail. My kids love these wee bugs so I showed them your photos too and they commented on how fantastic your photos were.
Thanks, Laura. Kids and bugs are usually a good combination. I try to retain some of that child-like excitement about the natural world.
Love the subject! Stink bugs are not something one normally follows around, but they are really quite beautiful as you have shown here, Michael, and they have interesting movements too. From now on I’m going to call them shield bugs (thanks!), but I must say, they really do have a very peculiar smell…. 😀
Thanks, jet. I am an equal opportunity photographer–I will take photos of almost anything that I see through my viewfinder that is interesting to me. As for the smell…it’s not so bad if you don’t squash them. 🙂
Interesting looking creature!
“Interesting” is a nice neutral adjective, Carol, although it is appropriate here. I realize that sometimes folks are not thrilled with bugs, so they try to think of a nice way to tell me they like the photo, but not the subject.
Actually I don’t mind bugs. Most. 🙂
It’s unusual, interesting… 🙂
I envy the quality – so interesting to see the detail
Thanks. One of the reasons why I just love shooting macro is the ability to see lots of tiny details that generally go unnoticed.
What an odd looking creature! Never seen one of these before!
These bugs come in other colors too, including one with the unusual name of the Twice-Stabbed Stink Bug. Check him out in a posting I did a couple of years ago. https://michaelqpowell.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/twice-stabbed-stink-bug-captured-alive/
Nice shots! I haven’t seen one of these yet this year.