This morning there were a few dead midges around after the door had been open most of yesterday evening so I tried to get some photos with the microscope. Given that a midge is less than 2mm long it's a challenge just finding it. David has to go to Uist today. I shall go for the journey. It'll be a full day there and back. So these are some quick midge shots just to let you know how the experiment went: not very well. I shall get some good shots eventually with a bit more time and application.
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| Midge taken with camera on macro to give size (mm scale) |
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| Microscope at 20x |
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| Microscope part at 400 times |
The last one is getting there. Can you light it from underneath? It may cut down the shadows
ReplyDeleteThe microscope has a ring of LCDs Adrian but I might try making a glass tray with a variable light underneath.
DeleteI'm not sure I want them enlarged. Bad enough when they're tiny! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree. Just one bite sends me into agony, and then usually a stupor after I've taken enough antihistamine to knock out an elephant.
DeleteFor me the problem of their size is that they get into one's hair and so on. The bites don't cause much of a reaction. I had no idea that you reacted so badly Mark. That's a nuisance: how are you with deet? If you come here perhaps try and avoid muggy weather (now there's a challenge!).
DeleteI've found that the trick is to use lots of repellant (although making sure not to use one I'm allergic to which happened on Skye last time) and to take a low dose of antihistamine each morning so that the initial reaction isn't quite so bad.
DeleteWow, that microscope is amazing. Soon it will be overworked and underpaid...smile.
ReplyDeleteMidges are just awful creatures, their bite is so unpleasant, and they're one of the creatures that I wonder why are they here on this earth.
Looking forward to all the lovely microscopic photos in the future.
I cannot imagine any reason for them at all Virginia. I'm hoping to find some interesting things for the microscope in due course.
DeleteOne theory, of many, is that when God embarked on creation - though why he did, I've no idea - he had to create everything possible. Man is but one creation. Why would/should God favour one creation, Man, by not creating midges?
DeleteThey've got awfully strange knees, GB....?
ReplyDeleteSo has Geeb.
DeleteThank you Marcel for that quite superfluous piece of information - even if it is true and, unfortunately, funny.
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