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Deadly Embrace
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Deadly Embrace

by Gary Yeoh

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted May 11, 2010442 views21 comments
Was out photographing Iris japonica at Aoyoma cemetery in Tokyo and saw this hoverfly (Syrphidae) on the petal of the flower. All of the sudden, this robber fly descended and grabbed the hoverfly in a deadly embrace. The robber fly landed on this iris bud and proceeded to inject toxins/enzymes into the hover fly, first into the thorax and later into the abdomen as shown in this picture. You can actually see the faint proboscis in the abdominal cavity (just below the hind leg of the hover fly).

D90 Nikkor 105mm iso 640 F11 1/25 sec, early morning sunlight with reflected fill light using a piece of A4 white paper, tripod cable release. Thanks for looking and C&C appreciated.

Comments

21 comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 11, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Awesome shot. It's hard enough catching a Robbery Fly in a pleasing pose, but you got it killing its prey, just awesome! Backlighting seems to have been handled well and the detail is top notch

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 11, 2010 at 10:09 PM
Well that's just totally amazing. Well done.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by mark cillo on May 11, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Wow! That is awesome! Really cool image! :wavey:
Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 12, 2010 at 12:03 AM
Wow, wonderful catch!
Great detail on the insects.
The BG is not ideal, to me, but an excellent shot nontheless.

Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on May 12, 2010 at 12:12 AM
Excellent shot Gary. Wonderful capture of the drama.
Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Younger on May 12, 2010 at 12:15 AM
Patience rewarded with opportunity. And you took excellent advantage of it. Congratulations.
Registered on January 15, 2010, 151 Posts, 269 Comments
Comment posted by kayes on May 12, 2010 at 6:35 AM
hi Gary, this is an outstanding shot. Pin sharp and great catch :toast:
Registered on February 23, 2010, 51 Posts, 98 Comments
Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on May 12, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Drammatic shot, Gary! Perfect execution, you really caught the very moment! :toast:
Mauro
Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments
Comment posted by J. Lee Reynolds on May 12, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Fantastic image Gary great job on the capture and presentation. Jack
Registered on January 12, 2008, 206 Posts, 474 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on May 12, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Great moment! You managed everything very well!

Congrats

D&L
Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on May 12, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Very nice details and BG Gary. :toast:
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by John Kerr on May 13, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Wow, you've got a winner here Gary. The detail is awesome and the backlighting is a great effect the way it is lighting up the hairs. Super find and super capture.
Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments
Comment posted by Debashis Bandyopad on May 14, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Great action and a flawless capture. very well done :toast:
Registered on June 24, 2007, 130 Posts, 1309 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on May 14, 2010 at 7:01 PM
Excellent colors and detail
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 18, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Congrats on the WP with this fine shot
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Reed on May 18, 2010 at 9:10 PM
Great shot. Life and death in the flower fields. They should make a documentary. :wink:
Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 18, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Gary - congrats on a fine EP!

Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by kayes on May 19, 2010 at 1:27 AM
Gary, congratulations on the EP. It is a great shot :smile:
Registered on February 23, 2010, 51 Posts, 98 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on May 19, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Amazing capture! Congratulations :toast:
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on May 19, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Congratulations on your EP Gary!
Killer shot :wink:
Neil
Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 19, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Gary: This is a remarkably well crafted image. The subject and moment are wonderful but your management of the light is what really sets this in another league. Congrats on the EP.>=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments