Brian, depth of field, focus and composition is spot on in the first picture, well done. I wish that the shadow was softer though.
I'm not familiar with the species, but they're wasps - technically hymenoptera and not insects... If you want to know more specifically, I'd suggest filling out an ID request at http://bugguide.net/Mike.
At the risk of quibbling with someone who has admittedly far greater knowledge of wildlife than I, Mike, hymenoptera are an order of the class of insects.Jeremy
I'm not familiar with the species, but they're wasps - technically hymenoptera and not insects... If you want to know more specifically, I'd suggest filling out an ID request at http://bugguide.net/
That is a fascinating shot.Well seen and well captured Riaan!Tony Jay
Dusted of the macro stuff yesterday and got lucky with this from the garden.