Dogs do it, so what's wrong with ducks having a go at it? :D
At least they are in water where it's somewhat cleaner than what a dog's butt would be. LOL ;)

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/child-trapped-dies-house-blaze-saturday-17593.shtml#.UQiGlL99Irs

This was about 2 blocks from my home. The sirens, which we regularly hear due to our proximity to a hospital, at first, didn't seem unusual. But then they continued, for what seemed like 20 minutes straight. That's when I looked outside and saw the flames and smoke in the sky.

You guys are too funny. :)

I was bored...and it was all I could come up with :lol: :mrgreen:

That was awesome. I absolutely love the colors. It's funny how the male is so colorful and the female is rather plain looking. Very nice Douglass. Thanks for sharing. :)

Thanks... and yes, I'm looking forward to it. The insect population is way down in Maryland. The temps outside have been a bit on the frigid side. :D

Thanks :)

I read that last nite. And from what I understand, it can take several weeks if not months to heal, due to the enzymes they inject when they bite. Fortunately, I found this one already dead. :)

I just found this link doing a search for it. Thanks for the ID. It IS in fact part of the assassin bug family.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-09_wheel_bug.htm

Are they in the assassin bug family? I've never heard of a wheel bug.

I went camping over last weekend and brought home a few nice specimens. I also purchased a focusing rail from Adorama. Best $20 I've spent in a long time. I can fine tune my focus and DoF so much easier and better now.

Prehistoric Assassin bug


Camel Cricket


Camel Cricket #2


Camel Cricket #3

:thumbup: :-D

I cover that entire area in my daily travels, but I live on the Southeast side now, near Dundalk. Wow...class of '67. I was 7 yrs old. :D

This is all I could find on Sony's website.

Megapixel: 7.2 MP
Imaging Device: 1/2.5" Super HAD™ CCD sensor.

Focal Length: 6 - 72 mm
35mm Equivalent: 36 - 432 mm
Focus: 3 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF,
Flexible Spot AF, Manual
Focal Distance: 13/16" (2 cm) (W), 19-
3/4" (50cm) (T)
Aperture Range: f2.8-8.0 (W), f3.7-8.0 (T),
10-step f2.8-8.0 (Aperture Priority,
Manual)
Shutter Speed: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto),
1 - 1/2000 sec. (Program Auto), 46-
step 30 sec to 1/1000 sec. (Shutter
Priority, Manual), 8" - 1/2000
(Aperture Priority)
Exposure Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3
EV Step Increments
ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Filter Diameter: 58mm (with supplied
Adapter Ring)
Smart Zoom® Technology: Up to 14X
(5MP), 18X (3MP), 22X (2MP), 57X
(VGA Resolution)
Digital Zoom: 0-2.0X (Precision)
Optical Zoom: 12X
Macro Mode: Yes
Total Zoom: 24X
Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm)
Normal, 0.74" (2cm) Macro

I was in the western part of Baltimore, just off Northern Pkwy. and Seton Drive.