The Wasp Nursery

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) with insect galls from a tiny wasp, the Spiny Leaf Gall Wasp (Diplolepis polita)

Well, I’ve recently posted my first two images on NPN, one in the Landscape Gallery and one in the Macro Gallery. I’m not about to leave out the best Floral Gallery on the net!

This image was shot in 2007 on a new trail the docents were working on prior to opening, located in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in Laguna Hills, California. I received permission from the park naturalist to hike the trail even though it wasn’t yet open to the public. I found this wild rose about a mile down the trail and was trying to decide whether I wanted to photograph yet another wild rose, when I noticed the red spiky things growing out of the leaves. Later research revealed that they are formed by the plant in response to the specialized hormones produced by a small parasitic wasp. At the center of each gall is the larva of a wasp.

I was so intrigued with graphic quality of these natural subjects that I stood there for three hours capturing different compositions at various magnification and perspectives. I used my 30” diffuser to soften the direct sunlight and help block the wind. I wanted to return to this spot. But the park officials said that a group of mountain bike riders had wandered off of the trail and damaged a sensitive area. I haven’t checked recently, but I believe they still have not opened the new trail.

Nikon D200
ISO 100
105mm Micro-nikkor at f/8
LiteDisc diffuser
Two images focus stacked in Helicon Focus to achieve maximum sharpness throughout the subject DOF, while rendering the background OOF.

Honest comments welcome.

Bob