Love the cobbles

Wah ! I'm getting anxiety pangs now

The number of posts here must tell you the regard in which you are held Derek. I'm sorry about your sad loss and wish you well. You'll be missed.
David

The first one is indeed excellent and the others not far behind.

Thank you Serge. Glad you like them.

I don't think you can use TTL with a K3ii. You need to go back to the *istD or DS for that ? Therefore you only have the old school methods available to you.

I think you may be correct with a shieldbug. I had rejected that because of the long proboscis but having looked at some images of live ones from underneath, they do appear to have one which is set very far back and flat against the underside. You do learn a lot from macro photography !
Derek, they have to do this 'cos they become too fat for their rigid exoskeletons - a bit like me in my old age!
And yes, I do recall Quatermass and the pit, which I think featured chrysalis like objects and locust things fleeing from baddie thingies.

Whilst rummaging in my store of empty plant pots I found this discarded exoskeleton (called an exuvium or exuvia). The creature
must have gone in there for privacy and safety but I have no idea what it was.



Six legged, two antennae, a long proboscis, stumpy looking wings. The surviving detail is astonishing. It is about 1cm long as it stands here.
That proboscis has a long, rigid sheath - does it use that to pierce its victim's hide, I wonder?

The right way up and from the front. It split across the back of its shoulders, ducked its head down underneath and pulled its head out first.



It had spotted/ dimpled wing cases and a zigzaggy pattern along its abdomen, which has curled up over its back

From the side, its antennae are quite long and rounded, so it isn't a moth. It has bulbous pop eyes too.



And from the front, looking inside, which doesn't help a lot. Its feet are clearly made to grip tightly



Many years ago, I saw a review of the Pentax-A, 50mm macro lens. It ended with,
"If you find one, ignore the price - just buy it !" Add a K5 and this is what you get.
ISO 100, f22, 5 seconds.

4 makes it by a whisker for me. Gorgeous shots.

The K3 is a heavy beast to hang off your wrist for any time! I use a Joby shoulder sling. It is a wonderful piece of kit. Have a look at their promotional videos.