Sex and drugs and rock & roll.

OK, I accept that there is a distinct absence of drugs and rock & roll, but there’s definitely some sex.

I was watering the garden a couple of days ago and saw a movement on the hose.  Looking closer I realised it was a pair of mating Scarlet Tiger Moths.  They get their name from their bright red underwings.   I rushed off and set up my flash diffuser and macro lens, hoping they would still be there when I came back; they were.

I had to lie on the ground in a quite uncomfortable position to get the shot, but we suffer for our art don’t we?  I was able to get nice and close to the one actually on the hose, and as it had a slightly elevated position compared to the other one I could get to eye level.

Meanwhile in a nearby flower there were a couple of Common Yellow-faced bees, also mating.  Yes, bees take all manner of shapes and forms; it’s not just honey and bumble bees that are around.  We do talk about the “birds and the bees”, so it’s not a surprise to find them.   These two were oblivious to my presence, and I could hold the camera more easily, so I was able to shoot a 9 image focus-stacked group.

It’s always worth taking a closer look.