to quote Arnold in the movie The Predator..."you are one ugly Mother......!"
Sep 3, 2019 12:18:27 #
Handheld and in natural light of a live female Grizzled Mantis (Gonatista grisea) using a Sony DSC H5 and VCL-M3358.
Other Common Names: Lichen Mimic Mantid, Florida Bark Mantis
While doing yard work one day, I ran across this mantis on an old birdcage that was going to be thrown out. Because it was late in the day and the sun was low on the horizon, I carefully picked up the cage and went to an area of the yard that still had some direct sunlight. I took about 25 to 30 photos, but most of them had parts of the cage in each frame. I decided to pick the mantis up in my hand and move to the part of the yard with the remaining direct sunlight.
In my opinion the coloration,especially of the spikes on the forelegs, gives it an even more sinister/killing machine appearance. I was born and raised in North Florida and spent a good deal of my youth outside. I never ran across one of these until this moment. The next day, I did see another one, maybe the same one, on the trunk of a massive Live Oak tree next to our house. It blended in so well with the color and texture of the bark that, if I had not taken photos of this one and in return know what to look for, I would have overlooked it. As I'm sure I had done many times in my life.
I think I am more proud of the photos in this series than almost anything insect I have photographed to this point. Not only were the photos taken handheld, but using only one hand while the mantis was being held in the other hand. I love the natural light and the dark background. To me, the last four photos almost look like studio shots, but this is as natural as it gets. I did very little PP....just a little (very little) sharpening and maybe a tad lightening and contrast adjustments because I tend to shoot most things a bit underexposed.
The last two are my favorites. I especially like the look of the last one due to the pseudo pupils.
Please click Download to view the images better.
As always, thanks for viewing and all comments.
Ken
Other Common Names: Lichen Mimic Mantid, Florida Bark Mantis
While doing yard work one day, I ran across this mantis on an old birdcage that was going to be thrown out. Because it was late in the day and the sun was low on the horizon, I carefully picked up the cage and went to an area of the yard that still had some direct sunlight. I took about 25 to 30 photos, but most of them had parts of the cage in each frame. I decided to pick the mantis up in my hand and move to the part of the yard with the remaining direct sunlight.
In my opinion the coloration,especially of the spikes on the forelegs, gives it an even more sinister/killing machine appearance. I was born and raised in North Florida and spent a good deal of my youth outside. I never ran across one of these until this moment. The next day, I did see another one, maybe the same one, on the trunk of a massive Live Oak tree next to our house. It blended in so well with the color and texture of the bark that, if I had not taken photos of this one and in return know what to look for, I would have overlooked it. As I'm sure I had done many times in my life.
I think I am more proud of the photos in this series than almost anything insect I have photographed to this point. Not only were the photos taken handheld, but using only one hand while the mantis was being held in the other hand. I love the natural light and the dark background. To me, the last four photos almost look like studio shots, but this is as natural as it gets. I did very little PP....just a little (very little) sharpening and maybe a tad lightening and contrast adjustments because I tend to shoot most things a bit underexposed.
The last two are my favorites. I especially like the look of the last one due to the pseudo pupils.
Please click Download to view the images better.
As always, thanks for viewing and all comments.
Ken
Sep 3, 2019 12:19:48 #
Sep 3, 2019 12:34:58 #
Sep 3, 2019 13:00:46 #
Sep 3, 2019 13:27:45 #
Sep 3, 2019 15:10:41 #
Sep 3, 2019 16:09:56 #
Sep 3, 2019 22:15:51 #
bellgamin
Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
That is one lovely series of one ugly mantis, a true carnivore -- just as voracious & horrifying as he looks (if one happens to be a tasty bug).
Sep 4, 2019 07:16:45 #
You have every right to be proud - of recognizing the opportunity, of the shots, and of the learning that you have shared with us. Thank you. I just wouldn’t want too many of those photos hanging on the wall of my bedroom if I wanted to get a good nights sleep!
Sep 4, 2019 09:27:03 #
Dixie Native wrote:
Handheld and in natural light of a live female Gri... (show quote)
Great macro work, Ken. Ugly subject!!
Sep 4, 2019 09:51:36 #
Jack B
Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC
Dixie Native wrote:
Handheld and in natural light of a live female Gri... (show quote)
Sep 4, 2019 09:52:56 #
Sep 4, 2019 10:59:48 #
I would agree with Arnold on this one. He fits the description pretty well.
Sep 4, 2019 11:46:15 #
Sep 4, 2019 12:27:06 #
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