Orchesella villosa is another springtail, but one of Britain’s largest growing up to 5mm (0.2in) long. It can leap a fair way, too, when it feels threatened, and I thought I had lost it a few times.
I would not have got this level of detail or this close with just the Sigma macro lens, even on its closest setting. With the Raydox DCR-250 clipped on the end it has added to my magnification, and combined with the external flash unit has given me more detail and clarity, where the eye, the bristles and the patterns of the springtail are fairly distinct. Again, being handheld, I had to stabalise my arms and hands by leaning on a wall to get this shot.
Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. July 2017.
Please click on an image for a larger more detailed view. Clicking a second time may get you a little closer.
Nature Journeys 
Superb detail and focus.
It must be exciting to have a new piece of gear which is obviously working out so well 🙂
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Thank you, Vicki 🙂 Yes, I am very pleased with the Raynox. It gets me closer than I could have imagined possible. Takes some getting used to at that level.
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You captured the springtail beautifully!
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Thank you, Belinda 🙂 I am very pleased with my new Raynox plaything so far 🙂
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Wow, this really is close and the detail, staggering! How cute is his eye/s.
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Thank you, Diana 🙂 This is the closest I have ever got to these little critters, and this is almost full frame. I think the should give hima common English name, like the ‘Pipe Cleaner Springtail’ 😉
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Suitably dubbed my friend!
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🙂
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It’s not often that you get to see a springtail up so close. Amazing!
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Thank you 🙂 Although my garden must be teeming with them, I don’t normally spot them unless I specifically go looking for them.
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I notice that, too. That I don’t see a something until I’ve learnt about it or gone looking for it. It makes me wonder how much else I’m still not seeing! 😀
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I think there is more than we realise. How many times I have passed plant galls is probably numerous until I noticed them, and now I see them. I think you kind of get an instinct for seeing things once you have the focus and the fascination combined 🙂
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