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.

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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Gooden’s Nomad Bee (Nomada goodeniana)Constantly on the move and rarely staying still for more than a second, Nomad Bees...
17/05/2026

Gooden’s Nomad Bee (Nomada goodeniana)

Constantly on the move and rarely staying still for more than a second, Nomad Bees can be incredibly difficult subjects to photograph. That’s what made this encounter so unusual — finding this tiny Gooden’s Nomad Bee completely motionless, resting quietly on a leaf in the middle of the day.

Unlike honeybees or bumblebees, Nomad Bees are cleptoparasitic, meaning they don’t build nests of their own. Instead, females lay their eggs inside the nests of other solitary bees, with their larvae developing using the provisions left behind by the host species. Because of this lifestyle, they lack the dense pollen-collecting hairs many bees have, giving them a more wasp-like appearance.

Up close though, the details are extraordinary. The delicate golden hairs, segmented antennae, fiery orange limbs, and especially those beautifully patterned compound eyes make them one of the most intricate little bees to observe under macro magnification.

The eye detail instantly stood out to me during editing — almost resembling tiny brush strokes or etched markings across the surface. Combined with the soft textures and warm tones, it created one of those moments that perfectly captures why macro photography is so addictive.

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📷 Nikon D500 | Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro
⚙️ ISO 100 | f/13 | 1/250s @ 105mm
📅 23 Apr 2026 | 12:09
📍 Isle of Wight, UK

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Nut Leaf Weevil (Strophosoma melanogrammum)Perfectly camouflaged against stems and bark, the Nut Leaf Weevil is one of t...
16/05/2026

Nut Leaf Weevil (Strophosoma melanogrammum)

Perfectly camouflaged against stems and bark, the Nut Leaf Weevil is one of those species that easily disappears into the background unless you stop and look closely. Covered in fine sandy-brown scales and subtle textured markings, they blend seamlessly into woodland vegetation and hedgerows.

Unlike the dramatic proportions of the Acorn Weevil, this species has a much shorter snout and a more compact, rounded body shape. Up close though, the detail is still incredible — tiny hooked feet gripping the stem, rough textured wing cases, and delicate scales that almost resemble dusted velvet under magnification.

This pair remained completely motionless while climbing a single grass stem, giving a great opportunity to isolate the subject against a deep dark background. The contrast between the vivid green stem and the muted earthy tones of the weevils really helped emphasise their camouflage and texture.

It’s always fascinating how species that appear plain from a distance become beautifully intricate once viewed through a macro lens.

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📷 Nikon D500 | Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro
⚙️ ISO 200 | f/13 | 1/250s @ 105mm
📅 3 May 2026 | 11:58
📍 Isle of Wight, UK

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Acorn Weevil (Curculio glandium)One of the most instantly recognisable little characters in the insect world — the Acorn...
15/05/2026

Acorn Weevil (Curculio glandium)

One of the most instantly recognisable little characters in the insect world — the Acorn Weevil looks almost unreal when viewed up close. That impossibly long curved snout, oversized eyes, and shaggy golden hairs give it a completely alien appearance, despite being a species many people walk past without ever noticing.

The elongated “snout” is actually called a rostrum, and females use it to drill into developing acorns where they lay their eggs. Once the larvae hatch, they develop safely inside the acorn before eventually emerging and burrowing into the soil below.

At macro scale, the fine textures become incredible. Every leg is covered in tiny golden hairs, the rostrum appears almost metallic in the light, and the matte black compound eyes create an intense stare that makes the species so photogenic.

This individual paused just long enough on the edge of a leaf for a near perfectly symmetrical head-on portrait — a perspective that really highlights the strange proportions and prehistoric feel of these fascinating beetles.

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📷 Nikon D500 | Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro
⚙️ ISO 160 | f/11 | 1/250s @ 105mm
📅 3 May 2026 | 13:12
📍 Isle of Wight, UK

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Copper Sun Jumper (Heliophanus cupreus)Tiny, alert, and full of personality — the Copper Sun Jumper is one of those spec...
14/05/2026

Copper Sun Jumper (Heliophanus cupreus)

Tiny, alert, and full of personality — the Copper Sun Jumper is one of those species that completely changes once viewed up close. To the naked eye they appear as small dark specks darting across leaves, but under macro magnification the details become extraordinary: iridescent chelicerae, metallic hairs, enormous forward-facing eyes, and a subtle copper sheen across the abdomen that gives the species its name.

Unlike web-building spiders, jumping spiders actively hunt their prey using incredible eyesight and quick bursts of movement. They’re curious little predators too, often turning to face the camera as if they’re studying you back.

This individual spent several minutes moving between leaves before finally pausing long enough for a few frames. The bright greens and yellows of the surrounding foliage contrasted perfectly against the darker body tones, while those glowing palps instantly drew attention.

The final front-on portrait especially shows why jumping spiders are so loved within macro photography — equal parts intimidating and strangely adorable.

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📷 Nikon D500 | Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro
⚙️ ISO 125 | f/10 | 1/250s @ 105mm
📅 8 May 2026 | 11:52
📍 Isle of Wight, UK

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