More Mantis... I tried harder today.
Nov 6, 2014 23:41:28 #
I kept the camera on the tripod today. I concentrated on focus and I kept my tongue in my mouth.
The Mantis was waiting for me in the wine barrel, right where I left her yesterday.
I couldn't believe that this little spider crawled onto her leg, walked up to her abdomen and down toward her head. It stopped and thought better of this, turned around and went up on top of her abdomen and stopped. Finally got one shot of it sitting on her back. The whole time she was absolutely still.
Please tell me what you think of these images. I always need advise.
The Mantis was waiting for me in the wine barrel, right where I left her yesterday.
I couldn't believe that this little spider crawled onto her leg, walked up to her abdomen and down toward her head. It stopped and thought better of this, turned around and went up on top of her abdomen and stopped. Finally got one shot of it sitting on her back. The whole time she was absolutely still.
Please tell me what you think of these images. I always need advise.
"Here I am again."
(Download)
I love her little blue nose
(Download)
She knows it's there.
(Download)
Dangerous ride
(Download)
Isn't she amazing?
(Download)
Nov 6, 2014 23:48:20 #
Nice set. The focus on image #1 is superior to focus of image #2. And that is mantid blue lipstick, not her nose.
I suspect that this is a California Mantis (Stagmomantis californica), but not positive. The serrated exoskeleton is new to me.
I suspect that this is a California Mantis (Stagmomantis californica), but not positive. The serrated exoskeleton is new to me.
Nov 7, 2014 00:34:09 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Blue lipstick... how very stylish of her. I will have to keep her lips and nose in the correct place. Nice set. The focus on image #1 is superior to focus of image #2. And that is mantid blue lipstick, not her nose.
I suspect that this is a California Mantis (Stagmomantis californica), but not positive. The serrated exoskeleton is new to me.
I suspect that this is a California Mantis (Stagmomantis californica), but not positive. The serrated exoskeleton is new to me.
Thanks for the comment. I'll keep working on this focus issue. I also agree with this mantis being different than most. I need to research more. She is smaller as well.
Nov 7, 2014 00:54:00 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
She might be a Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis). See info at:I suspect that this is a California Mantis (Stagmomantis californica), but not positive. The serrated exoskeleton is new to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mantis. She is very friendly and doesn't seem to mind being on my hand. She is small, so she might be a youngster. Wikipedia says that the "First instar nymphs that eat less take a longer time to molt to the next instar and are smaller at the 2nd instar than first instar nymphs that have been fed more."
I see wings of insects and very tiny scat in lots of the flower blossoms.
Nov 7, 2014 02:19:14 #
Great set of photos! In #3, she looks a wee bit cross-eyed, as if thinking, Aaaaauuuugggghhh, that tickles. :D
Nov 7, 2014 03:58:33 #
The first two photographs are quite good, the last photograph seems to have some focus issues as viewed on my monitor.
Nov 7, 2014 06:11:01 #
Nov 7, 2014 09:54:26 #
Incredible photos. I like the first one. She is such a little cutie. You did good as usual.
Dennis
Dennis
Nov 7, 2014 09:56:43 #
Nov 7, 2014 20:43:28 #
Great photos. Can't be a juvenile, as she has wings: only adult insects (except for sub-adult mayflies!!) have wings. Too small for Tenodera. Don't know which CA mantis, but Douglass may well be right; but I, too, have not seen spiny prothoraces on Stagmomantis. But, watch out -- she has crabs! #3 is very nice.
Nov 7, 2014 20:48:32 #
Nov 7, 2014 23:38:38 #
Prothoraces is plural of Prothorax: The anterior division of the thorax of an insect, bearing the first pair of legs.
Nov 8, 2014 01:19:02 #
Nov 8, 2014 08:34:56 #
That is a pretty spider, her dorsal design looks like a red daisy flower. This cute Mantis is very confident with your presence and seems happy living in a barrel, I wonder if she is the only one around. I notice you are using f/8 on these shots, is this because you are not using a flash to upset her? Very nice sequence, perhaps she intended the spider to be lunch.
Nov 8, 2014 12:24:02 #
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