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Antlion's Eye

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted July 22, 2012263 views15 comments

I like this for the flash effect at the insects eye (star-wheels at center & green ring of color)..
The insect is the predatory "Antlion". Their larvae are predatory while the adult stage feeds on nectar and pollen. Larvae are voracious predator of ants and other small insects that become entrapped in the conical pits constructed by Ant Lion larvae.
F/14, 1/15th, ISO 400, Canon 30D, Sigma 150mm f/2.8 with fill.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on July 22, 2012 at 9:33 PM

Howard,
They are all amazing but this is the best of your 'Bug Eyed' post. This is as good as it gets, thanks for being an inspiration.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on July 22, 2012 at 10:04 PM

Wow, Howard. The effect of the flash on the eye is amazing. I don't recall seeing anything like that before. I like the larger image, but I'd still like to see this even larger - like around 11 x 14. In addition to the eye, I like the excellent detail (in both the bug and the floral perch), and the colorful BG. Is this the way this one was shot, or was it rotated? It looks like this would look also look natural and good rotated vertically (cw) as an optional comp.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 23, 2012 at 8:22 AM

I tried your idea Scott. What do you think?
BTW - It was shot with the flower at about 45 degrees off the main grouping..So I'm somewhere "stuck in the middle with you".
You know, Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 23, 2012 at 9:30 AM

Terrific colors and detail, Howard. The eye effects are way cool and I really like the details in the antennae. As a kid, I played with ant lion larvae by dropping a few grains of sand into their pits to get them to attack but never knew what an adult looked like.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on July 23, 2012 at 9:43 AM

I think it can go either way equally well, Howard. Do you? Thanks for posting the vertical.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on July 23, 2012 at 10:18 AM

I like the emerald eyes contrasting with the red plant, and prefer the horizontal orientation. As a kid, we found ants to sacrifice or gently used the tip if a twig in the hole to spur the ant lion into action.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on July 23, 2012 at 12:46 PM

Wow, Howard, this is an amazing shot in many ways! Wonderful colors, great details, nice comp (I think I prefer the vertical), and that killer image in the eye! I have never seen that look in an image of an eye before. Love this photo!

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 23, 2012 at 9:36 PM

Amazing

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on July 24, 2012 at 10:33 AM

Howard, excellent color & detail. I prefer the horizontal format. A further crop to truly highlight the eye with a touch of vignetting might be even more interesting.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on July 30, 2012 at 10:02 AM

Hi Howard

Two fascinating subjects, wonderfully composed

fabulous color and detail

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 1, 2012 at 2:36 PM

Congrats on another great WP!
You're on a roll!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 1, 2012 at 6:40 PM

Hi Howard

Congrats on a well deserved WP

Beautiful work

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 2, 2012 at 8:19 AM

Congratulations Howard, you're on a winning streak! Excellent work.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on August 4, 2012 at 12:48 AM

A beauty

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Grabski on August 5, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Perfection. Late but congrats on the shot and WP.

Registered on April 29, 2011, 122 Posts, 431 Comments