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Feeding Time
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Feeding Time

by Charles Rose

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 19, 2014159 views10 comments
This Carolina Mantis (female) had just caught a Bumble Bee and was feeding on it! It took about ten minutes for her to finish the meal!

Comments and critiques are welcomed! :wavey:

D7100 (hh), 55mm@f/20, ISO 500, 1/500 sec.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on September 19, 2014 at 8:56 PM
Great capture of this action. Nice exposure, and good color. IMHO it is cropped too tight, needs a bit of room on all sides. Do wish the mantis head was sharper, but know how difficult it can be when working close up. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on September 19, 2014 at 9:26 PM
Wow, that's some intense action, Charles. Well timed with the wing in the mantis' mouth. I think the detail in the mantis' head and the bee is quite good. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Rose on September 19, 2014 at 11:32 PM
Thanks very much for the comments John and Scott. John, I hope you had a look at the large image. I do believe there is ample detail in the face of the Mantis. The crop was an attempt to get all of the Mantis in the photo without losing the impact of what was happening at the moment, and the rule of thirds. Scott, I had such an amazing experience today being able to actually photograph a Mantis "in action" and also seeing it for the first time!
Registered on March 13, 2011, 58 Posts, 122 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 20, 2014 at 7:46 PM
Sharp details and a great closeup look at the feeding action Charles.
I particularly like the wing seen going down, can hear the 'crunch' from here:wink:
Nicely exposed & natural colors as well..
I still remember my first Mantid with prey shot, they make short work of the catch don't they :wavey:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 21, 2014 at 7:47 PM
I love this, especially the crunchy wing! Well caught of a deadly and chaotic moment. :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Rose on September 24, 2014 at 1:49 PM
Howard and Phil-

Thanks so much for the kudos! I really do appreciate it. :cool: It was a real treat to see and photograph this as it was happening. Praying Mantises are so cool to observe.
Registered on March 13, 2011, 58 Posts, 122 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on September 26, 2014 at 1:46 AM
Charles ..beautiful picture of the Mantis in action ...looking at it close..its has tied down the neck and the abdomen of the bee.. a nice behavior image...very well done ..and congrats on the wp.

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Rose on September 29, 2014 at 11:17 AM
Hi Balan, Thank you for the comment! Thanks to the editors for picking this as a Weekly Pick! :jump:
Registered on March 13, 2011, 58 Posts, 122 Comments
Comment posted by Yun Gao on October 8, 2014 at 1:30 AM
Wonderful action and fine detail! I agree with you that the mantis is very fun to watch. Congrats on the WP!
Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 11, 2014 at 8:15 PM
Just wanted to drop by & say congrats on this WP Charles :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments