Mastodawn

Sometimes nature reminds you that the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan for. Last week, I set off with my wife Christel to Huis ter Heide near Tilburg, hoping for birds and landscapes in the soft early morning light. The birds were quiet, the landscapes less inspiring than I’d hoped—but the insects stole the show.

First came the hardworking Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum), captured close-up as it buried itself in a flower’s nectar. Next, a Pyrausta purpuralis, a tiny but striking moth with purple and gold tones, resting perfectly still on a leaf. Both were taken with my Canon 5D Mark III and the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Super Macro—a lens built for the extreme close-ups that reveal details our eyes often miss.

Switching to my Canon 7D Mark II and Sigma 100–400mm, I caught a vivid Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) perched near the water, and finally, a Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria) warming itself on a sunlit leaf.

This is why I carry nearly 15 kg of gear on long walks: two cameras, four lenses, and a tripod. Because in nature, the unexpected is always waiting.

#HuisTerHeide #NaturePhotography #MacroPhotography #BugPhotography #InsectPhotography #BombusPascuorum #CarderBee #PyraustaPurpuralis #MothPhotography #DragonflyPhotography #SympetrumSanguineum #RuddyDarter #ParargeAegeria #SpeckledWood #CanonPhotography #Canon5DMarkIII #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400 #MPE65 #SuperMacro #NatureLovers #NatureObsessed #NatureOnEarth #WildlifePhotography #MacroNature #NatureFocus #PhotographyGear #NatureBrilliance #NatureSeekers #NatureHealing #PhotographyLovers #WildlifeMacro #MacroWorld #NaturePerfection #DiscoverNature #NatureShot #NaturePhotographyDaily #MacroBug #NatureCaptures #NatureBeauty #CanonGear

Maikel de Bakker Aug 9

The Wonderful World of Fungus – Part 2

After last week’s rains, the Kampina near Oisterwijk revealed a hidden kingdom—one that thrives quietly beneath our feet. This week, I set my lenses to macro mode and explored the intricate, often overlooked life of fungi and slime molds.

First, I found Rickenella fibula, a tiny moss-dwelling mushroom just a few millimeters tall, its orange caps glowing against the green carpet. Nearby, Mycena stylobates stood on delicate stems, their translucent caps perched above fallen leaves. Looking closely, I could see the long, thread-like hyphae weaving underneath—nature’s living network, breaking down leaf litter and recycling nutrients.

Then came the slime molds. One bright orange species looked like clusters of tiny eggs, each a potential transformation into a spore-bearing structure. Another, still a mystery to me, appeared as a single white, chalk-like sphere on moss—perhaps the fruiting body of another slime mold, or something else entirely. Nature loves to leave puzzles for us to solve.

After hours in this miniature world, I reached the heart of the Kampina and paused at a weathered workman’s hut before heading home. My Canon 5D Mark III with MP-E macro lens captured the fine details, while the Canon 7D Mark II with Sigma 100–400mm kept watch for the bigger picture.

Next up: Part 3—The blooming heath and wildflowers of the Kampina.

Hashtags:
#MacroPhotography #Canon5DMarkIII #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400 #MPE65mm #FungiPhotography #RickenellaFibula #MycenaStylobates #MossLovers #TinyMushrooms #FungusAmongUs #SlimeMold #Mycology #MushroomLovers #FungiMacro #ForestFloorFinds #NatureCloseUp #DutchNature #Kampina #Oisterwijk #WildNetherlands #MushroomSeason #MicroWorld #FungiFriday #InstaFungi #MycoBeauty #ForestMagic #MossAndFungi #TinyWorld #FungiOfTheNetherlands #MacroMagic #MushroomArt #SlimeMoldSpotting #MysteryMushroom #SporeLife #NatureDetails #HiddenNature #WildlifeMacro #NatureObservation #CloseUpNature

Maikel de Bakker Aug 8

Summer’s Small Wonders

It’s been an intense week job hunting—stressful, but necessary. When the tension builds, I return to my medicine: walking and photography. This time of year, midsummer, wildlife can be scarce. So I turned my attention to the smaller residents of the Kampina near Oisterwijk.

With my Canon 5D Mark III and MP-E macro lens, I captured a common honeybee at work. Then a Calopteryx splendens—known in Dutch as the weidebeekjuffer—its metallic blues shimmering in the sun. A gatekeeper butterfly (Pyronia tithonus) with weathered wings reminded me that beauty exists in imperfection. Another posed with wings closed, its patterned eyes giving the illusion of a cross-eyed stare—an optical quirk of insect anatomy.

A small emerald moth (Hemistola chrysoprasaria) rested among blooming heath (Calluna vulgaris), a gentle hint that summer’s edge is near. Nearby, four perfectly shaped green leaves formed the silhouette of a butterfly—nature’s accidental mimicry.

Switching to my Canon 7D Mark II and Sigma 100–400mm, I explored further. After a week of rain, the forest floor has begun to transform—mushrooms emerging like quiet sculptures. These fruiting bodies of fungi are not just beautiful; they are vital recyclers, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting entire ecosystems.

Next up: a closer look at the “wonderful world of fungus.” Until then, I’ll keep walking, keep noticing, and keep sharing.

#MacroPhotography #Canon5DMarkIII #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400 #MPE65mm #WildlifeMacro #NatureCloseUp #InsectPhotography #BeePhotography #Damselfly #CalopteryxSplendens #Weidebeekjuffer #ButterflyPhotography #PyroniaTithonus #GatekeeperButterfly #SmallEmeraldMoth #HemistolaChrysoprasaria #HeathFlowers #CallunaVulgaris #LeafMimicry #NaturePatterns #SummerNature #Kampina #Oisterwijk #DutchNature #Biodiversity #InsectMacro #Pollinators #WildlifeOfTheNetherlands #InsectsOfInstagram #MothOrButterfly #NatureObservation #CloseUpNature #MacroMagic #SmallWorldBigBeauty

Bubulcus & Bolotas Aug 4

Did you know mayflies are among the oldest insects, with fossils over 300 million years old?
Cloeon dipterum is a type of mayfly. This photo shows a female in the subimago stage—a short, non-feeding phase between nymph and adult. She uses energy stored as a nymph and will molt one last time to become a full adult. Mayflies are very sensitive to pollution, so they are used to check how healthy freshwater habitats are!

#Insects #Freshwater #Bioindicator #MacroPhotography #Camping #Biodiversity #Alentejo #MayFly #Biodiversity #InsectPhotography #NatureLovers #BugOfTheDay #WildlifeMacro #OneWithNature #CampingInPortugal #closeup

paulbidwell Jul 22

Alien Walker

#arachnid #macroshot #harvestman #opiliones #buglife #closeupnature #bluebackdrop #texturedwall #creepycrawlies #detailedmacro #wildlifemacro #arthropodsofinstagram #naturecloseup #longlegs #wallcrawler #vividcolors #alienvibes #strangelifeforms #eightlegs #insectaesthetic

Joy Grows Jul 11

Enjoy the summer sights.. 🦋 #InsectThursday #insects #bloomscrolling #scape #Coneflowers #JulyBlooms #Naturephotography #photographersofbluesky #PhotographersUnited #WildlifeMacro #InNature

Maikel de Bakker May 31

A Day of Discovery at Arboretum Kalmthout

Embarking on a photographic adventure with my son and a close friend, we explored the vibrant Arboretum Kalmthout in Belgium. Armed with my Canon 5D Mark III and the Canon MP-E 65mm 5x macro lens, we delved into the intricate world of pollinators and blossoms.

Among our subjects was the Episyrphus balteatus, or snorzweefvlieg, a common hoverfly known for its distinctive orange and black bands. This species plays a crucial role in pollination and aphid control.

We also encountered the Apis mellifera carnica, or Krainer bij, a subspecies of the Western honeybee. Native to Central Europe, these bees are favored by beekeepers for their gentle nature and efficient foraging.

The arboretum's array of purple-hued flowers provided a stunning backdrop, enhancing the visual appeal of our subjects. With over 500 photos taken, this is just the beginning of sharing our day's discoveries.

#EpisyrphusBalteatus #Snorzweefvlieg #ApisMelliferaCarnica #KrainerBij #ArboretumKalmthout #MacroPhotography #Canon5DMarkIII #CanonMPE65mm #Pollinators #Hoverfly #Honeybee #InsectPhotography #PurpleFlowers #BotanicalGarden #NaturePhotography #BelgiumNature #WildlifeMacro #FloralMacro #InsectMacro #NatureLovers #MacroWorld #BeePhotography #HoverflyLove #GardenExploration #NatureWalks #FloralBeauty #InsectCloseUp #MacroMagic #NatureInDetail #PollinatorGarden #WildlifePhotography #MacroLens #FlowerPhotography #InsectWorld #NaturePerfection #MacroShot #FloralPatterns #NatureBrilliance #MacroNature #InsectEncounters #NatureCaptured

Maikel de Bakker May 19

Jewel of the Stream: The Beautiful Demoiselle in Kampina

While exploring the serene Kampina nature reserve near Oisterwijk, I encountered the enchanting Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo), or "bosbeekjuffer" in Dutch. This damselfly is renowned for its metallic blue-green body and shimmering wings, making it a captivating subject for nature enthusiasts.

The Beautiful Demoiselle thrives along unpolluted, fast-flowing streams with sandy or gravelly beds, often bordered by lush vegetation. Males are territorial, perching on bankside plants to defend their domain and attract females. Their presence indicates a healthy aquatic ecosystem, as they are sensitive to water quality and habitat changes.

Capturing this delicate insect with my Canon 7D Mark II and Sigma 100–400mm lens was a rewarding challenge. Its graceful flight and vibrant colors highlight the rich biodiversity of Kampina. Moments like these underscore the importance of preserving our natural habitats for future generations to appreciate.

#CalopteryxVirgo #Bosbeekjuffer #BeautifulDemoiselle #Damselfly #Odonata #MacroPhotography #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400mm #Kampina #Oisterwijk #NoordBrabant #NetherlandsNature #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #InsectPhotography #RiverLife #FreshwaterEcosystem #Biodiversity #Conservation #NaturePerfection #MacroNature #InsectMacro #FieldPhotography #NatureExploration #Dragonfly #DamselflyLove #NatureInDetail #WildlifeMacro #MacroWorld #InsectOfTheDay #NatureBrilliance #MacroMagic #CloseUpNature #InsectPerfection #NatureSpotlight #WildlifeInFocus #MacroBeauty #InsectEncounters #NaturePhotography #MacroShot #NatureHighlight