do NOT try at home!

preamble: I have been shooting macros of insects for 4+ years without issue. With patience you don't need fancy equipment to get good macro shots of insects. One of my favorite macro shots of a wasp was taken on my 5 year old 4 MP P&S. I got in fairly close this time with the macro lens and a ringflash over this yellow jacket nest. On the second day of pictures at the nest, as I was walking away (about 3 feet away from the nest) I got stung on the finger by one, and boy did it hurt. I figure the act of standing up and walking away brought too much attention after being crouched down for so long. A man actually died from an allergic reaction after multiple stings a week ago, so stay away, they are protective.

d300 w/ older 105 f/2.8 most of these are ~f10-14, shutter speed ~1/250, ISO 400, flash power ~ 1/4 with homemade ringflash triggered via CLS