Cooperative crayfish

[Dave Johnston]

While exploring a peat bog in the mountains of West Virginia, I came upon this fellow well out on the sphagnum moss, away from both woods and running water. He was defensive, of course, as I snapped some quick hand help pictures, but didn't flee even as I set up to see if I could do a focus stack with my 100 mm. He waved his claws at me as I reached in to pluck stray pieces of grass out of the way, and then settled into this perfect pose! I was able to fire off two series of 50 shots each.

I'm pretty sure this is an Appalachian Crayfish (Faxonius obscurus). Canon R5 with in-camera focus bracket, 100 mm f/2.8 at f/8, stacked in Helicon.

comments and suggestions welcome.

Dave

 

[AlanLichty]

Seriously cool that he hung out long enough for you to snap off your macro stack sequences. Your image has brought out some lovely details of this little crustacean.

 

[Dave Johnston]

Thanks, Alan. The R5 is invaluable in being able to rattle off 50 exposures in just a few seconds.

Dave

 

[Ben Egbert]

Really great detail. I need to do some serious micro work with my R5

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice work with the focus stack. I haven't tried that yet but should with the right subject

 

[Amy Nelson]

Amazing detail here...great job on this capture.

 

[JimFox]

Wow Dave! This is perfect. What amazing detail and that's so awesome he cooperated for you.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

A a really great image, Dave.

 

[JimFox]

Congrats on the Featured Macro Photo Dave!

@Dave Johnston

 

[Dave Johnston]

Thanks so much Ben, Jameel, Amy, Jim and Doug! And again to Jim for the Features Macro! I didn't think I'd have the opportunity to get all the macro gear set up, framed, focused and triggered before he got tired of me, but he was a very willing subject!

Dave

 

[gardenersassistant]

What a terrific image - pose, composition, colours and of course details. All so good and fitting together so well.

 

[Dave Johnston]

What a terrific image - pose, composition, colours and of course details. All so good and fitting together so well.

Thanks so much, Nick! I have been blown away by your single-shot macros!

Dave

 

[Tom Narwid]

While exploring a peat bog in the mountains of West Virginia, I came upon this fellow well out on the sphagnum moss, away from both woods and running water. He was defensive, of course, as I snapped some quick hand help pictures, but didn't flee even as I set up to see if I could do a focus stack with my 100 mm. He waved his claws at me as I reached in to pluck stray pieces of grass out of the way, and then settled into this perfect pose! I was able to fire off two series of 50 shots each.

I'm pretty sure this is an Appalachian Crayfish (Faxonius obscurus). Canon R5 with in-camera focus bracket, 100 mm f/2.8 at f/8, stacked in Helicon.

View attachment 40105

comments and suggestions welcome.

Dave

Very nice.