What's this?

[russjm]

Hi all, I'm new here. My kids and myself are keen bug hunters and wild life spotters, but we don't have much knowledge, so expect a few questions across the forums!

We spotted this wasp type insect on the windscreen of the car. It was carrying a fly that it had obviously just caught, I wondered if someone could ID it for us?



Thanks,

Russ.

[Matt Smith]

A solitary wasp, one of the Ectemmnius species.

[russjm]

Thanks

[Dillybythesea]

Hi Russ! Just to add that it's great to hear you're getting your kids into wildlife spotting, and we'll all look forward to whatever you find next. A fly-catching digger wasp seems like a good start!

[russjm]

Yeah thanks for that. I've always been keen on nature, and I think it's important to get the kids involved and "out there" rather than playing computer games.

We just came back from a (mainly wet) week in Cumbria (my avatar is my youngest daughters' footprint in the sand from last week), and while we were there got involved in a national trust pond dipping afternoon, which was great fun. Nothing too exciting in terms of finds, Great diving Beetle, Water Scorpions etc, but fun all the same. One of the other kids found a Natterjack Toad which was a good spot.

We've picked up a couple of magnifying boxes and a couple of field guides etc, and so hopefully we'll have more to report over time. I just need a decent digital camera with a good macro setting instead of my useless Nokia Phone which I normally use. Any recommendations welcome!

[Dillybythesea]

Sounds like you're all getting into it and how great is that! Re taking pics, WAB has a very helpful forum on Photographic equipment, too (I tell you, it's such a brilliant website this) - scroll down the main forums page and you'll find it. I just searched it for 'digital camera' and various threads came up, depending on whether you're thinking about a compact, hybrid, DSLR or whatever... http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...archid=1204198

and this thread in partic covers a lot of the points you'd want to think about...

Cameras

But of course, even with a better camera, you soon find out you tend to need more angles of whatever it is, to let the experts home in on the species, and don't these critters always fly off just before you get to the head...

[russjm]

Thanks a lot for that, I'll have a look at the link right now!

[operanut1972]

Hi russjm,

Welcome to the site. Hope you find what your looking for, firstly with cameras we all have very different needs and tastes, the best bet is to talk nicely to friends who have thir own cameras that you like the look of. Once you've played around, you'll know roughly what you want. Most important is your budget, set a higher limit and don't go over it by more than 10%. I warn you now that macro photography, (any photography really) is addictive and becomes heavy on the wallet. However, it is a field that when you get a good shot it makes it all worthwhile. A look at the daily fungi thread should prove my point!

Good luck, the other Guys 'n Gals who contribute to the photography forum give some really good advice.

ATB

[russjm]

Thanks a lot for the input.

I used to be a bit of a Photo nut (and snob, it HAS to be Nikon ) a few years ago, and still have my old Nikon FM's and loads of books etc, but I never really made the jump to digital. So I have some knowledge of photography generally.

I would like a Nikon D90, but I just can't afford it, plus, I think for what I want with regard to shooting bugs etc, something compact is the order of the day. Also, as I plan to get a decent DSLR at some point, there's really no point in buying an expensive compact now, so I'm really just after a decent macro compact for a reasonable price.

I'll be doing lots of research, trust me.

[operanut1972]

I agree with the Nikon quality bit, but sometimes you just have no choice. I assume you want the D90 because of where it sat in the range?, have you looked at the D3100 or D5100 bodies? They may be a bit cheaper? I've just gone Canon because of the weight difference, if I could handle the weight of the Nikon equipment and still take quality shots I'd have been in like Fin. It definitely makes sense for you to go Nikon as you have some existing lenses that may still work (check the net first) with a digital body , minus the Exposure metre and autofocus. I'm sure you know that anyway.

Good luck, let's us know what you end up getting. ATB