Bugs

tamrock · Sep 26, 2015

These I took yesterday morning walking the two dogs I have to a dog park we have here in town. I now keep this little Panasonic I have in my pocket when I head out. It's so, compact and fast to start up and zoom out or go for closeups. I'm very pleased with it. Haven't got off running it on automatic yet, but it does work very well in that mode. I didn't see anything on my way to the dog park, but on the way back I spotted these strange bugs on this one plant. I haven't a clue what these bugs are and the plant they were on. Never noticed this plant or these kind of colorful bugs before. I took a picture of these odd guys and looked for some more subjects on the way back home. The field behind me is a great place to go bug watching and this time of year brings out some of the best to see, such as walking sticks and preying mantis, which I did see one of those so far in my yard this year. The little red-wing damselfly I took sometime before down by a creek that runs through town. To me bugs are fascinating. Ironically one of my farther majors at the University of Iowa Ames was entomology. He worked for Monsanto in the 60's and early 70's and his take on insects was to destroy them all with the development pesticides. I still recall our backyard barbecues with all the neighbors in Illinois and he had this device known as the Fogger. It was powered by propane and would blast that backyard with a thick cloud of pesticides. Everybody loved that idea back then. My dad traveled the world in the pursuit to destroy every diseases carrying, crop devouring bug. Even if an ant walked in front of him sitting out on the patio he'd stomp on it. The man saw no good reason for insects to share this world with mankind.

Anduril · Sep 26, 2015

I don't like bugs. :nono:

I always keep a few packs of insect repellent wipes in my camera bag.
Because a lot of my camera gear is super-expensive, I use the individually wrapped variety so as not to spill liquids inside the camera bag!
I've only found (2) brands, but both work very well - especially for mosquitoes, which are a big problem down my way.
The first one is "Off". Walmart used to carry it, but now it's getting much harder to find locally.
The other brand is "Ben's", which you can get at REI or Cabellas, etc... Or online.

Ben's Insect Repellent Wipes - 30 Percent DEET - Package of 12 - REI.com

I really do highly recommend these. The 30% DEET keeps the critters away!
I also like to keep a few individually wrapped "Wet Ones" handy as well.

old digger · Sep 26, 2015

Interesting walk! Your bugs in the first photo are Harlequin beetles. They can be quite destructive in a cabbage patch. The bugs in the third photo are Soldier Beetles, and the beetle in the fourth photo is your common Stink Beetle.

worldtalker · Sep 26, 2015

Grant,

I like that pollen laden bee and Damsel Fly,never see those species..hmm..I ain't ever see any of em. :laughing7:

GOD Bless

Chris

worldtalker · Sep 28, 2015

Here's a Stink Bug out our way

...did you know they taste exactly the way they smell??

GOD Bless

Chris

tamrock · Sep 28, 2015

No. The closest I've ever come to eating anything remotely related to insects are crawdads. Outside of that I'm sure a few flying bugs have made it into my digestive system from riding motorcycles when I had them.

BosnMate · Sep 28, 2015

The macro on your new camera is awesome. Great pictures, I like the pollen covered bee the best. Now I'm going to have to try and get some bug pictures.

toolmanbutch · Sep 28, 2015

What is the Camera Make and Model. I am looking for a new Camera.
Butch

tamrock · Sep 28, 2015

toolmanbutch said:
What is the Camera Make and Model. I am looking for a new Camera.
Butch

I got this Panasonic ZS40K at Costco. You could find a better deal online, but Costco gives you 90 days to return it. I like it because it's easy to work, has good zoom and close up fetures and it fits in my hip pocket. I don't like cameras without an eye viewer, like so many of the compact cameras have these days as this one does. It's pretty nice to pack along for a novice like me.
Panasonic LUMIX ZS40 Digital Camera Bundle

toolmanbutch · Sep 28, 2015

Thank you

Anduril · Sep 29, 2015

tamrock said:
I got this Panasonic ZS40K at Costco. You could find a better deal online, but Costco gives you 90 days to return it. I like it because it's easy to work, has good zoom and close up fetures and it fits in my hip pocket. I don't like cameras without an eye viewer, like so many of the compact cameras have these days as this one does. It's pretty nice to pack along for a novice like me.
Panasonic LUMIX ZS40 Digital Camera Bundle

Just my $0.02 - (Solidly in the "For what it's worth" category)
Another good walk-around, all-purpose camera is the Nikon AW130 (or the prior AW100, 110, 120's models).

Nikon COOLPIX AW130 Waterproof Digital Camera (Blue) 26492 B&H

Both can take the sort of pictures posted earlier in this thread.
Both are about the same retail price (not accounting for any Costco membership benefit).
The advantage (to me) of the Nikon AW130 is that it is waterproof, shock-proof, and freeze-proof.
Like the Panasonic, it too has WiFi and GPS, video capabilities, etc...
I'm not saying the Nikon AW130 is the "best ever" alternative to anything else ever made. It probably isn't.
But we have about 15 of them at work, and even with what I would consider to be "heavy" field (ab)use, we have yet to "kill" one.
In short, it's a nice "go-to" camera that you can count on to work!

The Panasonic does has better optical zoom and a longer reach. (It's actually marketed to a different group of end-users.) However, similar point-and-shoot cameras that I have owned over the years always end up having some sort of mechanical difficulties with the very complicated lens extend motors and numerous moving internal parts, etc... typically after only a few years of use. You do have to be fairly careful about not getting dirt and debris inside the various mechanisms, and of course, you can't take it for a "swim" while you're out panning for gold in the Yukon! It does have a viewfinder, though, which many people find more natural to use.

Neither one of these models are professional-grade cameras.
The tradeoff between these two specific models is basically "ruggedness" for "long-reach" capability.

Anyway, I'm personally comfortable recommeding the Nikon AW-1xx series point-and-shoot cameras to just about anyone engaged in "most" treasure hunting, or similar outdoor activities. Can't say I'd recommend you try to dig with one, though, as you might a shovel. :icon_thumleft: