Last summer I started looking at insects (other than butterflies) as subjects for my photographs. By slowing my pace, scanning the vegetation and underbrush, looking for leaf degradation I began to see an abundance of potential subjects! I had some success taking Ladybug photos and have featured them before on my blog. This was taken with my 105mm and flash which didn’t seem to bother these two one bit!

I’m always happy too see bumblebees in the fields and on the pathways I visit. I know their numbers are in decline but they seemed quite numerous last summer. In the past I tended to steer clear of bees but it’s been my experience that left undisturbed, they aren’t particularly aggressive. I think the colours of the flower set off the bee quite nicely.

There are many varieties of this butterfly in my region of the country (and thousands worldwide), so I think I’ll just call this one a skipper! The season is short for these beautiful insects and I never pass on the chance to photograph them. It was a nice warm day so the skipper didn’t remain in one spot for long but it kept touching down close by, obliging me with this closeup.

These photos are of two different dragonflies and were taken towards the end of last summer. I enjoy the challenge of photographing these beautiful insects and have learned that when they fly away or get frightened off they will often return to the same blade of grass or stem they were perched on a minute before. If you’re patient and stay put you will be rewarded.

I spotted this dragonfly in late July. Its distinctive colouring makes it a standout. I have only seen the halloween pennant a few times, so I was pleased that I caught it as it perched close by.  I think the spider’s web on the right adds another feature to the photograph.