Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.
As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”
Bramble Mason Wasp/Ancistrocerus adiabatus
Smiling Mason Wasp/Ancistrocerus campestris
Bramble Mason Wasp/Ancistrocerus adiabatus
Smiling Mason Wasp/Ancistrocerus campestris
European Tube Wasp/Ancistrocerus gazella
Three of the local Eumeninae potter and mason wasp species sport a smile-like pattern of two scuttellum spots and one transverse band on the metanotum. (There’s another regional smiler, Ancistrocerus catskill, but I haven’t come across this species.)
Very nice photos!
And interesting species!
May I ask… what is your current close-up kit?
I’ve had some success with my iPhone 6 and my Canon G-10.
(You’ve seen some of my photos on iNat…)
I’m considering a close-up attachment for the phone/camera but reviews are mixed…
Most of my insect photos are taken with my Sony RX10IV. I usually can’t get close enough to them use the 15mm macro Xenvo clip on my iPhone, but a few insects are so occupied I do get to bring the phone in close. This Xenvo clip, btw, claims to be a 15mm macro, but I doubt that, having used 10 and 15mm loupes with my phone as well. It is very stable, however; using it and the zoom of the camera itself I usually get pretty good results.
Backyard and Beyond 
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