Predator or Prey?

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 9, 200978 views5 comments

Alright,
I apologize in advance for this image, its certainly not one of my favorites. However, this was the first time I've witnessed mosquitos attacking a reptile. This was taken last spring, and this female snapping turtle had just dug a nest, and laid eggs. It was a particularly buggy day, and I was being attacked by the little creatures! I felt really bad for the turtle though, because there was nothing it could do to get the bugs off. You can probably see one mosquito that looks like its on the turtle's other eye. It was actually trying to suck blood from the turtle's eye. The turtles eye on that side had a cataract, so I'm not sure it could see out of it anyway.
Hope you enjoy the animal behavior despite the picture!

-Cam

Tech:
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Tamron 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 @ 300mm f/7.1
1/125 sec
ISO 800

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on December 9, 2009 at 7:56 PM

Hi Cam: What a great macro shot! Didn't see the mossies in the thumbnail and so it was a surprise when I open up the image. The turtle did not look please. Nice DOF. Well done

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on December 9, 2009 at 9:16 PM

Hey Cam,
I too was surprised when I opened up the image. Interesting behavior shot and I really like the story pulling it all together.
Nicely Done!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 9, 2009 at 9:39 PM

I really like this image but I do feel very sorry for the turtle. I never thought mosquitos would be interested in cold blooded animals but photographed a young great plains skink being driven mad by a mosquito on its back biting it. Nature is so amazing. I think the image is very good. The OOF grasses are just a bit distracting but still an intriguing image.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM

Hi Cam,

No need to apologize, but the image does make me cringe (and wish I could knock those mosquitoes off!). I suppose the mosquitoes are just doing their thing.

Very unique shot - I like the great detail on the main subject and blood-filled mosquito. Those vertical lines on either side of the turtle's mouth are quite visually interesting (at least to me!).

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 10, 2009 at 10:44 AM

Interesting image Cam. The detail is magnificent, both on the blood-filled mozzy and the turtles head. Well done!

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments