Hydra Thru The Macro Lens 2

[KurtM]

A few more from this morning while testing the other tripod head and different camera remote control system.









Gotta figure out how to pull more detail out of the mouth area...

[rnabholz]

A few more from this morning while testing the other tripod head and different camera remote control system.

Ummm.. they're working

Holy cow man! Outstanding!

They are all wonderful, but #3 takes the "Rod's Green with Envy Trophy for Excellence"

Keep em coming!

[mrsonchus]

Wow, these are the very best! What a superb technique you have, absolutely excellent! Thanks for the treat.

[gekko]

"Wow" is right. Just superb. Beautiful work, and expert lighting.

[einman]

I agree. Superb images. Shoot.. just when I think I am doing well you go and post these. Oh well..LOL

[einman]

What macro lens are you using?

[Crater Eddie]

Excellent imaging! The spots along the tentacles, are those the stinging cells?
CE

[KurtM]

Thanks again, all! I should have some interesting stuff coming up in the next few weeks and months, as winter time is prime time to hole up in the lab and do stuff like this (Rod knows what I mean!).

Camera equipment:
Canon T3i body
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens
Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Canon EOS Lenses
Pixel Mago ETTL Speedlite for Canon
LED Ring Light illuminator (eBay item number: 271435251906) <---incredible value!
Burton 1170 Research Illuminator (a refined Spencer No. 370 clone)

I mix and match all kinds of stuff as I explore what works, what's a tedious PITA and what's more fun, what doesn't drain the batteries quite so fast, what lighting looks best, etc., etc., etc. I had been shooting remotely through the laptop computer using Canon Utility software, but am trying a simpler approach by skipping the computer altogether and using a simple shutter trip (Canon RS-60E3 Remote Switch). Also experimenting with skipping the flash and going with slower shutter speeds using Live View, which allows me to focus using the LCD screen, and provides mirror lockup.

I get best results with the most complicated rig, naturally, but oftentimes I see something that makes me want to get a picture fast, but just don't have time to jump through all the hoops. Therefore, the big push now is to streamline the process as much as possible to minimize missed shots due to futzy set up.

I'm in the process of launching a new micro aquarium today, hope to get some good cladocera pics coming in soon.

CE: Yes, those are definitely the stinging cells, or nematocyts. You oughta see 'em in action when some cladocera or ostracod gets hit by 'em. It almost hurts to watch, the poor guys just instantly freeze, paralyzed. Sometimes they stick to the tentacle, which transfers the victim to the mouth where the Hydra swallows it whole; other times it doesn't stick, and sinks to the bottom still paralyzed. There, it may die, or sometimes will recover and resume its little life. Sometimes Hydra just holds the victim for a while before either swallowing or dropping it. Who knows what's going in it's brain (wait, Hydra doesn't have a brain). I keep wanting to offer a finger and see if it stings me or is too small to feel, but I'm too chicken to try it.

[zzffnn]

Very nice images, Kurt.
Google says hydra's toxin is not powerful enough to affect humans plus, you are a tough guy........just try it and report back

[KurtM]

Ha ha ha, Fan!! You're right, though, I am a tough guy! In July 2011 I got stung by jellyfish 12 days in a row while kayaking Galveston Bay, once across the face while doing an Eskimo roll. I can report that each day it hurts a little less -- you toughen up! Also, I recently got popped by a scorpion for the first time, and it wasn't bad, about like a wasp. The guys at the flight museum encased it in waste epoxy to honor the occasion, and now the most excellent souvenir sits right here on my desk.

So yeah, I can handle getting stung. But I'm STILL chicken about volunteering for it!

[billbillt]

Your Hydra photos are very fine... Looks like your aquarium is getting off to a good start... Where did you collect the Hydra from?..

BillT

[zzffnn]

Kurt,

That was why I asked you to volunteer Hydra is nothing if you can shrug off jelly fish or scorpion (Google actually indicated that).

I remember seeing lots of jelly fish at Galveston's ferry and some rays in the state park, when I used to kayak there. We are lucky in that we don't have box jelly like Australians do - nobody should get close anywhere near that critter.

[gekko]

So yeah, I can handle getting stung. But I'm STILL chicken about volunteering for it!

Kurt, I think you are very wise!

[KurtM]

Where did you collect the Hydra from?..

Bill, right here: http://tinyurl.com/glkwl7g

[billbillt]

Thanks for the quick reply.. That is not far from me...
BillT