I’m halfway through my second year of iNat, but it’s the first full season that I’ve had decent macro gear.
When I read the answers posted so far, one thing stands out: just how many stories are about mammals, birds, and just about anything larger than a quarter.
Of course, with macro, even a quarter-sized organism seems ‘mega’.
But I’ve come to realize that I have missed, and continue to miss every single time I take a step or two out there, tons of new and interesting species that are beyond my vision and/or lens ability to observe.
I know that because once I began to make a point of checking out even barely visible specks, I was suddenly surprised just how many turned out to be ‘rarely observed’ species. I soon realized that what makes them rare isn’t their numbers, but the number of observers prepared and equipped to go real slow and look really close.
Yeah, I’ve missed some real big stuff too (often because I was too wrapped up with catching something real tiny), but compared to all the new discoveries I’ve made with macro, I can honestly say those ‘big’ ones that got away seem like a small disappointment compared to the thrills I’ve made with all my macro discoveries.
Hmm… now I’m thinking of how many times I’ve shot a larger insect and discovered much smaller species in the background of the shot, or mites crawling somewhere on their bodies.
I suspect it’s this kind of ‘D’oh!’ moment that sells a lot of high-macro gear.(sigh)
I’ve done a couple macro photo presentations for my local photo group and I often include something about how as a macro photographer, you will never, ever get bored – once you start to be able to actually read nature’s ‘fine print’, the fun never ends.
Amen!