Winter insects?

[Dave66]

Hi All

I'm new to the insect world and have just bought myself a macro lens after seeing all your great photo's. Obviously there's not a lot about at this time of year. I'm looking for any suggestions where to find winter insects to practice my photo skills (or lack of them) before we get into spring. I live in a very rural area of Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. I read in another thread that springtales are common in the winter.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Dave.

[Dogghound]

Under logs, stones and leaf litter are always good places especially for springtails and beetles. Pond dipping is very productive at this time of year. Also try walking along a fence particularly a sheltered one under trees and have a really close look.

[Bruce Williams]

That's good advice from Dogghound.

I particularly like old wood fences at this time of year - mainly because you don't have to kneel down or get your knees and hands (and then your camera) wet and dirty. A lot of winter insect and spider subjects tend to be quite small, making accurate focussing quite critical. The big advantage of fences is that they offer something to lean against when focussing and taking the shot.

If you do decide to explore the underside of logs look out for interesting fungi and slime moulds as well as springtails, centipedes, millipedes and woodlice. I use a doggy poo bag as a kneeling pad. However if you don't have a dog then a plastic shopping bag makes a cheap alternative.

You are definitely doing the right thing scouting your local area during the winter weeks as a good winter site is likely to be an even better warm weather site - and by that time you'll know many of the insect/spider hot spots.

Out of interest what macro lens did you buy?

Bruce

[Acutipuerilis]

There are also a lot of overwintering creatures (especially leafhopers and psyllids) on conifers - knock some of the lush low branches into a box and see what falls out.

[Dave66]

Thanks for all the good advice guy's. There's plenty of old wood piles on the hill behind our place and there are plenty of conifer plantations with paths through them, should be able to find something in there. The one thing I am looking forward to is the wood wasps coming out. We get a lot of them in my garden. Scary things but also beautiful.

Bruce, I got my self a Sigma 105mm macro lens. Been trying it out around the house and I'm very pleased with the clarity and detail of the pictures. Hopefully I'll be posting some nice photo's on here soon.

Cheers

Dave.