sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

It's pushing 100-deg. F again today and the humidity is 51% for a perceived temperature of 107 so staying outdoors too long is quite stressful and drenching. One of the creatures that tolerates the heat well are ants although I doubt that they have much choice about it for the colony needs never stop.

This is a focus stacked view of one of those little buggers that were scurrying around. I've done several before and I can always count on them being around when others become scarce.

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JimmyTB

Great photo. I'm so glad these guys are so much smaller than us. I know it's been said before but photos like yours must have been the inspiration of many '50s sci-fi- horror movies.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Love the mandibles, sippy. A fine stack.

Quixdraw Loc: x

A new view yet again! Thanks!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, JimmyTB. I watch some of the old 50's Japanese sci-fi movies once in a while and when I was a lad they would be quite frightful now when I watch them my belly hurts from laughing so hard. I love the way that their mouths never match the words and the costumes they wear are a real hoot!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Kpmac. I've done quite a few ants and their mandibles are quite impressive for something ever so small.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Quixdraw. I realize that they all sort of look the same...a lot like penguins do, although I find them to be quite interesting in their own way.

Quixdraw Loc: x

What knocks me out in your photos is how many insect parts look manufactured and have analogs in things we use and see every day. Wild!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Quixdraw. I'm fascinated with the exoskeleton of insects and how they have to shed the old one each time that they grow. Thanks goodness I'm not an insect for that would be pretty gross. It's also astounding how they go through the transformation of going from larvae, pupa, and adult where one stage has no resemblance to the other. Most of us know about the caterpillar turning into the butterfly however insects, other than those with stages of nymphs, go through the same process.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Another great shot. Sippy in many ways it envy you. I recognize that bugs have limited life expectancies but I just can't bring myself to shorten them. Bugs are amazing animals and only by there being some willing to kill and stage them are we able to appreciate how complex they are.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Curmudgeon. I only take very common insects or ones that are considered to be invasive pests or that pose a threat should they get out of control. The Brown Recluse is one example along with the wasps and yellow jackets that nest far too close for comfort like under edge flap of our outdoor hot tub or under the cover of our barbeque pit.

I do find quite a few of them expired (the dog water bowl, our sunroom, window tracks, and the shades of the floor lamps are a good place to find them) and I consider them to be "freebies" although they are only good to keep if they have not dried and fallen apart.

I enjoy seeing the insects under magnification for I marvel at their structure and specialization. We have a long-time friend who teaches 6th grade and he shows his students my work and I've gotten a lot of encouraging feedback from him about what his students thought about seeing them. I've got my youngest grandson collecting now and we get to spend a bit of time together as I share what I know about them with him. My greatest accomplishment has been to get the Better Half to change her position on insects to where she will scoot them out the door rather than give them the Ol' Mexican Hat Dance.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

That's awesome, Gary. Your excellent work may result in future scientists, photographers, etc. Be very proud!!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Elliott, as an often stubborn old man at times (well, all the time according to the Better Half) I ignored how important the little things around me were and without them we humans may not exist. It wasn't until retirement that I had nothing to do and all day to do it that my eyes...and my mind...started to open widers. I started to notice just how interconnected life is. That one cannot exist without another and the balance between them is ever so fragile.

Every plant and animal plays an important part regardless of how large or small it is....except for chiggers..! For the life of me, I can't understand what part they play other than that they are the Devil's Spawn and he sends them out of the fires of hell to torture me.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

very nice......

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Napabob. I can always count on an ant as a subject when all else fails.