Very nice. Pesky ants milking those aphids and protecting them. The gardener in me is stamping his wellies

I always find ants particularly difficult to get in Macro. Maybe it's a combination of their relentless movement and that they're mostly all black.

It's an aphid, maybe greenfly (not an actual fly).

Looks like a bit too much contrast and sharpening, but I nice composition.

I wouldn't be surprised

I always find it amusing when you find something in a picture that you didn't see when you took it:

K20D and DA* 300mm (note the guy on the left!)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/2513945419/

Charming!

For a cuter picture:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/2513947059/

Oh, and I had to add this one as I love Coots:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/2513947441/

The Tamron 300mm SP is a stunning lens and I think this is a great price from Dan.

I'd also add to his list of things to consider with this lens that at f2.8 it makes it a pleasure to manual focus in poor light as it makes for a very bright viewfinder image, compared even to the DA* 300mm which has a minimum of f4.

I'd also agree that it's as sharp as the DA* 300mm, but you do have to be aware of the CA, though it's relatively simple to deal with if you know to be careful. At this price, it has to be a bargain compared to the Pentax lens. Stick it on a monopod and you can cope with the weight - just don't go hiking

Mine has a few nicks on the front element too and it doesn't appear in photos at all.

No 2 is an absolute corker! Well done.

Moo! Extreme cow. Gorgeous shot.

That's fantastic! Are you going to allow them to build their nest or get it removed? I know what I'd do

IMO, it should always be give and take - or rather take and give.

I am involved (and moderate) in professional technical forums and get irked when all I ever see from someone is "take" when those that "give" do so freely of their time. I'm always happy to help anyone, but without something in return from those that never make any effort to give back to the community, I put them into my "rude" book and tend to ignore them.

It's only really going to be a problem if there's direct light going into the VF. I'd just drape something over it if you're worried rather than fiddling with the eyecup and potentially breaking it, which wouldn't be hard to do as it's a little flimsy.