Maria Mazo, PPSA
July 2025 - Cuckoo Wasp
Original
About the Image(s)
For this month's image, I've chosen one that I believe features a Cuckoo Wasp. I photographed it earlier this week in an area near the cliffs, not far from my house. I was out looking for insects in fields that still have some tall grass. These fields are usually part of nearby farms, and the grass is often cut around this time to be stored as cow feed for the winter.
I was happy to find this colourful wasp hovering around a purple flower ??” a lovely surprise!
EXIF data:
Shutter speed: 1/640 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 1600
Shot with Canon R5 II and 100 mm macro lens, handheld
11 comments posted
Maria, the wasp is good looking, but scary as well. Never seen this variety before. The colors are striking. Obviously, it posed for you. You had to come real close with only a 100 mm macro lens. Very sharp including the front of the flower using only a f/6.3 setting. You have a very good eye for little critters, sin lugar a duda. Posted: 07/09/2025 13:48:42
Hi Isaac,Thank you for your comment. After the move, I lost a bit of my mojo when it came to taking photos, but recently I pushed myself to grab the camera and get out of the house to find something interesting.
When I saw the colours of this wasp, I really loved them, so I tried to capture a nicely focused image. I've lost some practice, so I definitely need to get out more often! Posted: 07/13/2025 20:37:42
When I saw the colours of this wasp, I really loved them, so I tried to capture a nicely focused image. I've lost some practice, so I definitely need to get out more often! Posted: 07/13/2025 20:37:42
Maria, A lot to praise with this one, Sharp colorful, nice blurred background eye contact with the wasp, nice composition, perhaps a little tight on the bottom left. I like that you went near your home to find a good photo. Bruce Posted: 07/09/2025 15:15:55
Hi Bruce,
Thank you for your comment. I agree that the bottom left is a bit tight, but I was so focused on capturing the moving wasp that I didn't realize the flower was so close to the border.
Posted: 07/13/2025 20:40:13
Thank you for your comment. I agree that the bottom left is a bit tight, but I was so focused on capturing the moving wasp that I didn't realize the flower was so close to the border.
Posted: 07/13/2025 20:40:13
Maria - Those wasps may be common where you live but no wasp around here has such vibrant colors. Good choice for depth-of-field/aperture, nice to see the foreground petals sharp, the rear petals blurred and the wasp razor sharp. Great capture! Agree with Bruce that the image might have been improved if there was a little more room on the bottom, but it's great as is. Posted: 07/10/2025 16:14:44
Hi Richard,
Thank you for your comment. I agree about the space at the bottom - I definitely need to find another one and try for a better composition.
Posted: 07/13/2025 20:42:05
Thank you for your comment. I agree about the space at the bottom - I definitely need to find another one and try for a better composition.
Posted: 07/13/2025 20:42:05
Marie, absolutely love this photo. You've achieved what I keep trying to do with macro! The color - my goodness - stunning! Great bokeh, sharpness where it's needed. Great shot. Posted: 07/13/2025 16:27:18
Hi Karen,
I really enjoy taking close-ups and macro shots of little insects, but I've realized I've lost a lot of practice, or maybe they're just faster than me now! Bokeh and sharpness are my main goals when composing the shot, and of course, don't forget the depth of field.
I have hundreds of images that are almost perfect, but they lack enough detail due to the reduce depth of field or slight focus issues.
Posted: 07/13/2025 20:48:18
I really enjoy taking close-ups and macro shots of little insects, but I've realized I've lost a lot of practice, or maybe they're just faster than me now! Bokeh and sharpness are my main goals when composing the shot, and of course, don't forget the depth of field.
I have hundreds of images that are almost perfect, but they lack enough detail due to the reduce depth of field or slight focus issues.
Posted: 07/13/2025 20:48:18
I think "hundreds of shots that are almost perfect" is what is required to finally get the perfect one. At least that's what I keep telling myself... Posted: 07/13/2025 22:35:35
Maria, your image of the Cuckoo wasp, which I've seen around here in southern California, is splendid. I don't have much to add to all the well deserved positive comments except that the minute details and the metallic colors of the bug and the beautiful gradation of the color of the flower, then the various shades of green in the background make for a breathtakingly exquisite image. Posted: 07/14/2025 20:33:17
Maria -you certainly have found all your mojo! A lovely macro shot!
Your wasp is all just so sharp and your PP has enhanced it in a perfectly believable way. You timed the shot so it was 180 from you to help the depth of field. With this being a macro image all about the wasp, I don't think you need all the flower - it is incidental/supportive in the story, so I'd crop as this suggestion. This will make the wasp larger in the image and be even more striking. Great image! Posted: 07/21/2025 13:23:03
Your wasp is all just so sharp and your PP has enhanced it in a perfectly believable way. You timed the shot so it was 180 from you to help the depth of field. With this being a macro image all about the wasp, I don't think you need all the flower - it is incidental/supportive in the story, so I'd crop as this suggestion. This will make the wasp larger in the image and be even more striking. Great image! Posted: 07/21/2025 13:23:03