Nature's Place

Gold

Green gold, red, blue …

I prefer to call them Jewel Beetles, christmas beetles they are usually called. But christmas is a hoax, the usurpation of what was once the celebration of a passing or seasonal change – with a knowledge of the heavens and earth as its basis, instead of the economic and psychological exploitation it is today – the same thing really, exploitation – the way we are.

Well, we can simply acknowledge the good, whatever it is. The starry night, a windy day, rain in the afternoon, the colourful flowers. The amusing character of the bugs in the garden. A partner if there is one. So many things, small and not so …

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They favoured the fern for eating at the time so I worked with that. Gotta take what you’re given, if you can. And so I present to you … one of the wonders of the earth – of which there are countless. A springtime character.

Gold, a colour in the psyche on the way down, or is it up, to a place that’s not this one.

Mark Berkery ……. Click any picture and click again to enlarge

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28 Responses

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  1. Josh's avatar Josh said, on 25/06/2016 at 2:58 am

    Wonderful pictures! How did you get so much depth of field? I use a 55-300mm with the Raynox DCR-250 at f29 and can’t seem to get that much DOF.

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 25/06/2016 at 4:36 pm

      Thanks Josh but not the best, they are from a while back and my technique and flash have improved since. See here – https://beingmark.com/macro-illustrated/

      I don’t know what size sensor you have but dof depends on a few other things too. Read the article linked above and if you have any questions just ask there.

  2. Jesse Simpson Uzertader's avatar Jesse Simpson Uzertader said, on 15/01/2012 at 5:38 am

    The sound of all the creatures that He created just so this whole planet could work the way it is suppose to still amazes me.

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 22/01/2012 at 1:25 pm

      That’s one way of putting it. :) Thanks Jesse.

  3. Steve Schwartzman's avatar Steve Schwartzman said, on 19/12/2011 at 10:34 pm

    Is it known whether the iridescence serves any purpose?

    Steve Schwartzman

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 20/12/2011 at 12:13 am

      I don’t know what is known Steve. I doubt the scientists are concerned with beauty or truth. I would say the iridescence serves to bedazzle and amaze – as it does, maybe even attract the eye of a suitor?

  4. Lunar Euphoria's avatar Lunar Euphoria said, on 18/12/2011 at 11:39 pm

    Christmas is what you make it. :)

    And those beetles are bejeweled for sure. Love how you captured the dropletts on that one critter.

  5. EternalForms's avatar EternalForms said, on 06/12/2011 at 12:49 am

    Wonderful images! Ditto on the Christmas remarks. Funny that the birth of Christ coincides with the third day following the winter solstice (or, the longest night). The days get increasingly longer after this point, marking a symbolic win of good over evil and the rebirth of the Sun (Son). Non-Christians have celebrated and worshipped during this time for as far back as we have record – and still do today. Only today, it means something entirely different to many people …

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 09/12/2011 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks Joseph, we live in deceptive times. When what is presented is not what is actually meant. It’s good exercise to see through it though, and then there’s just the earth of sense and primary creation.

  6. Jamiun Micheal's avatar Jamiun Micheal said, on 05/12/2011 at 3:21 pm

    Beautiful..so beautiful..i love the whole pics in this entry..thanks for sharing..the gold background..ermm how you make it? is it natural available color of background or u add something..i’m so interest about it..thanks Mark.

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 09/12/2011 at 12:58 pm

      Hello Michael old friend. Some of the shots are taken at night when the beetle is sleepy and I brought along a yellow T shirt to use as background when necessary, crumpled. Found some beetles with a torch and placed the T-shirt behind them and voila, my studio. :)

      • jamyunamiun Micheal's avatar jamyunamiun Micheal said, on 19/12/2011 at 2:43 pm

        wowwwww..thanks..what a wonderful and interesting proper technics of macro photography..i shoul try that one Mark..i will..

        ermm Cristmass is coming soon..wish u a happy merry christmas and happy new year..i should say that early before my holiday..u are great my friend…thanks for the knowledge u being shared

        • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 20/12/2011 at 12:09 am

          Thanks again Jamiun Michael. All the best to you.

  7. niasunset's avatar niasunset said, on 03/12/2011 at 8:53 am

    Beautiful, so beautiful. These are the best I have ever seen… Thank you, with my love, nia

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 09/12/2011 at 12:54 pm

      Thanks you Nia. Nature is that when you can see it. :)

  8. Pommi's avatar Pommi said, on 03/12/2011 at 3:52 am

    Hi,

    I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. one of the few blogs that I wait for new posts..never miss a shot…Keep posting..

    -Pommi

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 09/12/2011 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks Pommi, hope you haven’t dropped me in it … :)

  9. Rachel Creager Ireland's avatar rachelci said, on 03/12/2011 at 2:07 am

    Never would’ve expected so much fur on an iridescent beetle!

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 09/12/2011 at 12:52 pm

      Well, that’s what the smaller creatures hold onto when going for a joyride over the field. :)

  10. Eco Fruits's avatar ecorepublic said, on 03/12/2011 at 12:58 am

    beautiful!

  11. Jack's avatar Jack said, on 02/12/2011 at 11:47 pm

    Beautiful, Mark. Just a beautiful series.

  12. cindydyer's avatar cindydyer said, on 02/12/2011 at 10:09 pm

    Mark—as always, stunning, stunning photographs!

  13. Susi's avatar Susi said, on 02/12/2011 at 8:42 pm

    Yes! These beetles are beautiful, Christmas or not…I love their iridescent changing colours.

    I acknowledge them as good. Very good indeed! Thank you Mark!

    • Mark's avatar Mark said, on 09/12/2011 at 12:48 pm

      Thank you Susi. Did the world rush back in as soon as you said that? It will sometimes, as though of this or that.


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