WILD by Josh Reynolds

WILD by Josh Reynolds Wildlife in Living Detail - Photography and storytelling by Josh Reynolds. Sharing my journey back to calm through nature, wildlife, and photography.

10-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata)One of the joys of macro photography is discovering that even the most familiar i...
17/06/2026

10-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata)

One of the joys of macro photography is discovering that even the most familiar insects can have incredible detail when viewed up close. This tiny 10-spot Ladybird was slowly making its way along the edge of a fresh green leaf, perfectly framed against a sea of soft natural colour.

Unlike the more familiar Seven-spot Ladybird, the 10-spot is highly variable in appearance, with individuals showing different numbers and arrangements of spots. Their colours can range from pale orange through to deep red, making each encounter feel a little unique.

What drew me to this scene wasn’t just the ladybird itself, but the simplicity of the composition. The sweeping line of the leaf guides the eye naturally towards the subject, while the smooth green background helps isolate every tiny detail without distraction.

Sometimes wildlife photography isn’t about finding the rarest species. It’s about taking a moment to appreciate the beauty hidden within the everyday.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/8 | 1/250 sec | 105mm
📅 Date: 10 June 2026 • 16:11
📍 Location: Isle of Wight, UK

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Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius)One of the things I love about macro photography is how a change in background ca...
15/06/2026

Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius)

One of the things I love about macro photography is how a change in background can completely transform an image.

This Meadow Spittlebug was resting delicately on the tip of a flower petal, surrounded by soft pastel colours that created a much gentler scene than I normally associate with these common insects. Rather than blending into grasses or hedgerows, it almost looked as though it had stepped onto a stage of pink silk.

Meadow Spittlebugs are among the most widespread insects in Britain and are best known for their nymphs, which produce the familiar frothy “cuckoo spit” often found on plants during spring. Despite being common, taking a closer look reveals an insect packed with fascinating detail, from the intricate facial markings to the translucent green wings.

What first caught my attention was the contrast between the subject and its surroundings. Against the soft pink petals, the tiny hopper seemed far more elegant than its everyday reputation might suggest, proving once again that even the most familiar species can become extraordinary when viewed up close.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/10 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 6 June 2026 • 02:05

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Running Crab Spider (Philodromus sp.)Sometimes the smallest subjects can create the biggest surprises.I spotted this tin...
13/06/2026

Running Crab Spider (Philodromus sp.)

Sometimes the smallest subjects can create the biggest surprises.

I spotted this tiny Running Crab Spider perched right on top of a weathered fence post. At first glance it looked almost alien, with its exceptionally long front legs stretched high into the air as if it was trying to make itself look much larger than it really was.

Unlike many spiders that rely on webs to catch their prey, Running Crab Spiders are active hunters. They roam across vegetation and timber searching for insects, using speed and camouflage rather than silk to secure their next meal. This individual remained surprisingly still, allowing me enough time to capture both a wider environmental image and a much closer portrait revealing the incredible detail across its body.

One of my favourite things about this encounter was how unusual its stance appeared. Combined with the dark background and textured fence post, it almost felt like photographing a creature from another world rather than a spider only a few millimetres long.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 160 | f/10 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 5 June 2026 • 16:09

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European Alder Spittlebug (Aphrophora alni)This image marks a bit of a milestone in my macro photography journey.I came ...
12/06/2026

European Alder Spittlebug (Aphrophora alni)

This image marks a bit of a milestone in my macro photography journey.

I came across this European Alder Spittlebug perched on top of a weathered fence post. Its intricate textures, ridges and subtle colour variations immediately caught my eye, making it the perfect subject to experiment with a more advanced focus stack.

This photograph was created from a 27-image focus stack in Photoshop — my first true attempt at a larger stack. Unfortunately, the spittlebug decided to lift its rear end partway through the sequence, causing part of the stack to fail. Thankfully, enough of the frames aligned successfully to retain sharp detail across the most important areas of the insect.

One of the things I love most about macro photography is that every image becomes a learning experience. Not every stack is perfect, and sometimes the subjects don’t cooperate, but those challenges are all part of the process. Seeing the fine textures around the eye, thorax and wing structure come together from a sequence that nearly failed made this image particularly rewarding.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/8 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 10 June 2026 • 16:40
🖥️ 27-image focus stack (Photoshop)

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Forger Broad-nosed Weevil (Philopedon plagiatum)One of the things I enjoy most about macro photography is stumbling acro...
11/06/2026

Forger Broad-nosed Weevil (Philopedon plagiatum)

One of the things I enjoy most about macro photography is stumbling across behaviours that would normally go unnoticed.

While exploring I came across this pair of Forger Broad-nosed Weevils resting on the edge of a leaf. Their sandy-brown camouflage blended perfectly into the surrounding vegetation, making them surprisingly easy to overlook despite being right in front of me.

This image was created from a simple three-frame focus stack in Photoshop. Even with just a few frames, stacking allowed a little extra depth of field while keeping the soft, natural background that helps isolate the subjects from their surroundings.

Although weevils are often dismissed as plain little beetles, a closer look reveals an incredible amount of texture and detail. From the sculpted ridges running along the wing cases to the tiny scales covering the body, they’re miniature works of art hiding in plain sight.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/8 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 10 June 2026 • 18:26
🖥️ 3-image focus stack (Photoshop)

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Green Shieldbug Nymph (Palomena prasina)It’s always fascinating to see insects during the stages of life that most peopl...
10/06/2026

Green Shieldbug Nymph (Palomena prasina)

It’s always fascinating to see insects during the stages of life that most people never notice.

These Green Shieldbug nymphs were photographed during my first outing with the Nikon D850, moving slowly across a blade of grass. Although the adults are familiar bright green insects often found in gardens and hedgerows, the youngsters look completely different.

At this stage, they wear a striking combination of black, green and cream markings, giving them an appearance that’s worlds apart from the shieldbugs they’ll eventually become. Watching their gradual transformation through successive moults is one of nature’s more overlooked spectacles.

I was particularly drawn to the contrast between the tiny nymphs and the sweeping curves of the grass blade beneath them. Sometimes the simplest subjects create the most pleasing compositions.

Moments like this remind me that macro photography isn’t just about finding rare species. It’s about discovering life stages, behaviours and details that are usually hidden from view.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/10 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 5 June 2026 • 20:24

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Cock’s-head Bell Moth (Eucosma cana)Some of the most beautiful moths are also some of the easiest to overlook.While out ...
09/06/2026

Cock’s-head Bell Moth (Eucosma cana)

Some of the most beautiful moths are also some of the easiest to overlook.

While out testing, I came across this tiny Cock’s-head Bell Moth resting quietly on a wooden post. At first glance it appeared little more than a small speck of bark, but a closer look revealed an intricate mosaic of cream, brown and lichen-green markings perfectly designed for camouflage.

Moths are often overshadowed by their butterfly relatives, yet many possess extraordinary patterns and textures that only become apparent when viewed up close. The subtle green eye and beautifully detailed scales on this individual were enough to stop me in my tracks.

I’m continually amazed by how many miniature works of art can be found in the most ordinary places. A weathered fence post, a garden gate or a tree trunk can often hide species that most people never notice.

Sometimes the greatest reward in macro photography isn’t finding something rare, but simply discovering the beauty in something small.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 125 | f/10 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 5 June 2026 • 18:02

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Blow Fly (Calliphoridae)Not every macro subject needs bright colours or dramatic patterns to grab your attention.This bl...
08/06/2026

Blow Fly (Calliphoridae)

Not every macro subject needs bright colours or dramatic patterns to grab your attention.

This blow fly was one of the last insects I photographed during my first outing with the Nikon D850. Resting amongst lichen-covered stone, it allowed me to experiment with the camera’s incredible detail and dynamic range while creating a much softer, more atmospheric image than I would usually attempt.

Most people tend to overlook flies, yet they are among the most important insects in our ecosystems. Many species play a vital role in recycling nutrients, pollinating flowers, and supporting countless other forms of wildlife.

Looking closely reveals a completely different perspective. The metallic blue body, vivid red eyes and delicate facial hairs transform a familiar garden insect into something that feels almost otherworldly.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/10 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 5 June 2026 • 22:02

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Common Issid Planthopper (Issus coleoptratus)This was one of the very first subjects I photographed during my first prop...
07/06/2026

Common Issid Planthopper (Issus coleoptratus)

This was one of the very first subjects I photographed during my first proper outing with the Nikon D850, and it felt like a fitting way to begin.

Perched right on top of a weathered wooden post, this tiny Common Issid Planthopper sat surprisingly still while I experimented with the new setup. It’s a species that would be easy to walk straight past, but once viewed up close the amount of detail packed into such a small insect is remarkable.

The texture across the wings and body almost resembles carved wood or weathered bark, helping it blend perfectly into its surroundings. Despite their calm appearance, planthoppers are capable of launching themselves away in an instant using powerful hind legs.

Although this wasn’t the most colourful subject of the day, it became a memorable one. Looking back, it marks the beginning of my D850 macro journey and a reminder that even the smallest insects can make worthwhile photographic subjects.

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📷 Camera: Nikon D850
🔍 Lens: Nikon 105mm f/2.8 Micro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/10 | 1/250 sec
📍 Isle of Wight, UK
📅 5 June 2026 • 20:46

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Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)Few insects capture the colours of summer quite like the Azure Damselfly. With its el...
04/06/2026

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)

Few insects capture the colours of summer quite like the Azure Damselfly. With its electric blue markings, delicate wings, and jewel-like eyes, it’s one of the most striking sights around ponds, ditches, and wetland habitats throughout the UK.

Most people notice the brilliant blue abdomen first, but it’s only when viewed through a macro lens that the finer details emerge. The intricate patterning across the face and thorax, the iridescent eyes, and the tiny hairs around the mouthparts reveal a level of complexity that is almost impossible to appreciate with the naked eye.

This individual settled just long enough for a close portrait before disappearing back into the vegetation. The front-on view offered a rare opportunity to focus on the face, where those huge eyes dominate the frame and give the damselfly an almost character-like appearance. Looking closely, you can even make out the fine texture of the compound eyes, each made up of thousands of tiny lenses.

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📷 Nikon D500 | Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro + Extension Tube
⚙️ ISO 160 | f/13 | 1/250s @ 157mm
📅 31 May 2026 | 19:34
📍 Isle of Wight, UK

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