I didn’t even have to move out of my bedroom for this one when this guy flew in the other evening. I believe it’s a Grizzly Locust: a type of grasshopper, usually found among the trees, pine trees preferably. The Grizzly Locust may come to lights, and it sometimes seen on wood siding and fences in areas near forests and pine trees, the kind of habitat where females are likely to lay fertilized eggs. They are active from mid-summer through autumn.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Minolta 50mm f2.8 Macro lens

I was sitting on the balcony talking to a friend in Geneva when I saw a large bird fly by. I’d often seen a red tailed hawk in the meadow but this one looked substantially larger. I didn’t want to break my conversation so I didn’t immediately rush in to get a camera, thinking that by the time I got back the bird would have gone anyway. So I finished my conversation and then went to get the camera. To my surprise the bird was still there when I returned: it had alighted on the branch of a nearby tree and was sitting some distance away in deep shade with very bright sunlight behind it. I still couldn’t really see it very well. As you can see it turned out to be a Turkey Vulture. It’s not such a great picture (focus off, too noisy), but considering the conditions I was pleased that I got anything recognizable at all. Not the most attractive bird I’ve ever seen.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron SP A08 200-500 f/5-f/6.3 IF di

Continuing my attempts at macro photography. I came across this tiny spider crawling along the wall in my bathroom. I’d guess it was about 1/4 inch long.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Minolta 50mm f2.8 Macro lens