naross
Offline for the time being, but back soon :D
Image details
Description: This photo was taken in my backyard in Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
A gekko caught my eye this particular day, snapping at the glass. I had no idea what it was doing but upon closer inspection I could see that it was trying to catch this beetle. Unfortunately for the gekko, the beetle was on the other side of the window pane. Lucky beetle.
This is an Assassin Beetle. It possesses a large rostrum or spike on the end of its narrow head which it uses to impale its prey, injecting a digestive enzyme which kills its victim, the contents of which can then be drunk at the beetles leisure.
Apart from some fairly modest colour saturation, sharpening and contrast adjustments, this photo is pretty much straight out of the camera. Grain noise posed the biggest problem so that's where most editing time was spent. What a pain in the arse it was, but it's an interesting photo so I just had to persevere. The abstract effect is simply the reflection on the window of the outside world.
Photo taken with Canon IXUS 80 IS and edited with Lightzone. SIMPLICITY is my niche!
Posted by karenvm on November 24, 2012
Love the reflection and the blue background - as if he posed!
Posted by naross on November 26, 2012
Right place, right time, and the reflection was a-la-natural. Posing? I think he was just happy to be alive. I think the gecko was a bit pissed off though. I interrupted his plans for lunch hehe
Posted by uptonparkman on October 20, 2012
So interesting getting to know about these insects Neil,bravo
Posted by naross on October 20, 2012
It was the first time I had ever seen one of these, and being on the glass made for an interesting pic. Half the fun of finding new critters is doing some research to learn about. I also love writing about my experiences because it puts the pics into context. Thanks for the star too, Derek :D
Posted by zpawpaw on September 21, 2012
This is fantastic!! Very cool reflections and macro work! Love shooting these critters!:)
Posted by naross on September 23, 2012
Thanks, Jerry. This was the first one I had ever seen. Very interesting critters. I'm glad you like it and cheers for the star :D
Posted by charliebeck on August 07, 2012
WONDERFUL! This is outstanding! I need to get to Brisbane to capture some of these little alliens! The reflections is so intense it's unbelievable. Thanks so much for posting this to extreme.
Posted by naross on August 09, 2012
I don't often see them, but then I'm not always looking. I was lucky this day; right place and right time. Little aliens are usually uncovered when doing macro photography. Spiders are my favourite, but this little guy is a close second. Glad you like it,Charlie, and thanks for the star :D
Posted by rosyjenirosehall on August 03, 2012
Fantastic macro
Posted by naross on August 04, 2012
This was the first time I ever saw one of these beetles. He was just in the right place at the right time. Glad you like it :D
Posted by rodeorose on June 18, 2012
haha! So cool Neil - thanks for adding to BLUE!
Posted by naross on June 18, 2012
Cheers Rosie. He just happened to be in the right spot.
Posted by carlunruh on June 16, 2012
Great shot!
Posted by naross on June 16, 2012
Cheers Carl :D
Posted by carlunruh on June 16, 2012
And.....how big would this be?
Posted by naross on June 16, 2012
From head to tail... 2.5-3 cms (not even an inch). That's why I battled with grain noise. 8 megapixels just isn't enough for macro in the shade.
Posted by josiejackson on June 16, 2012
I do love the reflection, well taken :o)x
Posted by naross on June 16, 2012
If it wasn't for the gekko, I would have missed this. Right place, right time :D
Posted by wysiwyg on June 13, 2012
when you put like that, it does look pretty scary, glad it's small, great color and shadow effect!
Posted by naross on June 13, 2012
Thanks Joann. Everything looks scary in macro! :D