My first thought was 'What a lot of sky!'

You'd do well to crop out most of the top half to improve this image.

Is your image an 'out of the camera' JPG, or a processed .PEF/DNG file?

The manual types work fine, as long as you understand how to use your camera and flash in manual.

I use the web based version of Myibay. Works for me.

Thanks for all your comments. The last image is my first real attempt at focus stacking. Having tried it, I'll definitely be using it again.

Bumpety bump.

Watch the price rise rapidly when you arrive at UK customs and you have import duty and VAT to pay.

Nah, I used the Sigma 180mm for the close-ups, but I was still about a mile away.

I'm disappointed with the appearance of some of these images. They look much better in Lightroom.

Some freaky weather going on here too. It's 1:30am and we have a Southerly wind bringing warm air from the Sahara.

It's currently 23 degrees C outside and it's time for bed.

Mid February to mid March sees these little chaps on the move in Spain.

The first two, and the last images:- K20D + Sigma 180mm EX DG Macro + AF160FC flash.

The other images were taken with the same setup except I used the SMCP-FA 50mm Macro lens.

A head shot. Unfortunately I couldn't show it's jaws properly.



The nest.



Another nest with a few more inhabitants.



Off we go to find another pine tree to destroy.





Full body shot. This image is made up of a stack of 4 images with a different part of the body in focus in each image. CombineZM has done a pretty good job I think. If you look at the hairs half way along it's body you'll see some 'ghosting' but I can live with that.