Maria Mazo, PPSA
October 2025 - Tachinid Fly
Original
About the Image(s)
For this month’s image, I chose this photo of a Tachinid fly that I took recently in my garden. The image is the result of ten focus-stacked shots, taken hand-held early in the morning.
Tachinid flies lay their eggs on monarch eggs and caterpillars. Once the egg is laid, that monarch is as good as dead. Over the next couple of weeks, the tachinid egg hatches, and the maggot feeds on the caterpillar from the inside. Eventually, the tachinid larva emerges to continue developing in the soil, and the monarch dies.
Exif data:
Shutter speed: 1/125 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 2000
Shot with a Canon R6 II and a 100 mm macro lens
9 comments posted
Maria, your collection of little critters is increasing exponentially. Very sharp with lots of detail. I am very surprised that you were able to combine 10 frames in focus stacking created by hand holding. Great pulse for sure and the little guy did not move. Posted: 10/15/2025 19:07:12
Hi Isaac,
You're right, I have quite a collection of flies in my folders! It's easy for me to walk around the grasses and find them; the real challenge is finding a calm day. Since I live close to the sea, the wind is blowing most days, moving the grasses too much for macro shots. In this image, all the conditions were favourable, allowing me to capture maximum detail using in-camera focus stacking. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:49:27
You're right, I have quite a collection of flies in my folders! It's easy for me to walk around the grasses and find them; the real challenge is finding a calm day. Since I live close to the sea, the wind is blowing most days, moving the grasses too much for macro shots. In this image, all the conditions were favourable, allowing me to capture maximum detail using in-camera focus stacking. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:49:27
Maria - you sure do have a good eye and a steady hand! Brava! Another great macro shot! Posted: 10/18/2025 19:50:30
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your nice comment. I used to have a steadier hand and a sharper eye than I do now, but I can still manage to get some good shots when the conditions are favourable. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:51:26
Thank you for your nice comment. I used to have a steadier hand and a sharper eye than I do now, but I can still manage to get some good shots when the conditions are favourable. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:51:26
Great shot and technique. I wonder if the R6 has a focus stacking option for handheld shooting. Either way, it's a great result. Posted: 10/19/2025 12:04:57
Hi Adrian,
Thanks for your comment. The R6 has a focus stacking option in its menu, where you can choose the number of shots and the interval between them. I usually use ten shots with an interval of 4, and if the conditions are good, you can get all the details in sharp focus. However, if there's any movement, the focus stacking doesn't work at all. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:55:20
Thanks for your comment. The R6 has a focus stacking option in its menu, where you can choose the number of shots and the interval between them. I usually use ten shots with an interval of 4, and if the conditions are good, you can get all the details in sharp focus. However, if there's any movement, the focus stacking doesn't work at all. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:55:20
Another fantastic macro photo Maria! The green background works really well and the detail and sharpness are terrific! Posted: 10/20/2025 10:19:22
Hi Richard, thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it. Posted: 10/21/2025 10:56:02
Hi Maria - This macro photo inspires me to someday, hopefully, soon venture into macro photography and even explore focus stacking. I am impressed that you pay such careful attention to otherwise ignored little creatures. I appreciate the info on the Tachinid flies but it saddens me that their eggs cause the death of the monarch. A lovely image with exceptional details, sharpness and colors! Posted: 10/21/2025 19:04:56