Texas Catapiller

[Dakota Flyer]

I don't have a true macro lens, but I could not pass up trying to shoot this little guy while he was devouring a milkweed stalk. I have never shot any macro, so please do not hesitate to provide pointers to help me improve.

Canon Xti
f/5.6
shutter 1/25
ISO 200
Canon 70-300 f/4 DO

[FocalFrenzy]

Hi Dakota Flyer, and welcome to the DPS Forum. I believe that the caterpillar in your shot is a Monarch Butterfly caterpillar. The only plants that they will eat in Ohio (that I'm aware of), is milkweed. I save seeds from the pods each year, and plant them in the Spring, so that there will be plants for next years butterflies. This is a nice shot.
You can take "Macro" shots without a dedicated macro lens. What I do (on a much lower quality camera than your own), is set my camera to manual. Set the ISO as low as I can (usually around 80). Set my aperture to the lowest setting possible (to blur the background), and then manually focus the shot. Sometimes it's better to focus on something else by pushing the button halfway, and holding it there. Then I can manually move the camera nearer or further from my subject, until it is in focus. If I'm not sure about the exposure, I can bracket my shots (this gives you 3 different shots, one slightly under-exposed, one set where the camera believes it should be, and one slightly over-exposed. If the subject isn't likely to move, I can shoot it handheld. If it may move, then I'll use a tripod or monopod to steady my shot. It also helps to use your flash if the subject is poorly lit or in shade. I hope this info is helpful. Good luck and I look forward to seeing more of your shots.

P.S. If any of the advice that I have given is incorrect on any level, please let me know, as I would never intentionally misdirect another forum member. Thank you