Thursday, June 10, 2010

(Day 161) Bug 'n buglets

I don't know about you, but I'm not all that crazy about bugs. Oh I know, there are lots of good bugs that eat the bad guys. But have you ever seen a good-looking bug ? Many years ago when our kids were young we used to subscribe to National Geographic, and they had regular features on bugs. And I think they must have magnified their bug shots, especially those fearsome jaws, about 500x. I wasn't aware of this until recently, but apparently my son developed a healthy respect for bugs as a result - he said they all looked like monsters.

I don't think I've changed my mind as a result of a bug I spotted this morning, although I admit she did have pretty colours. And it wasn't until I looked at her portrait up close on the computer that I spotted what appear to be buglets on her head, and I think eggs on her back. I'm sure I've horrified you scientific types out there who just love these critters, but maybe you could help us out by giving this one a name and confirming my suspicions about the buglets and the eggs.

(60mm  f5.6  1/13 sec  ISO200)
















(60mm  f8  1/10 sec  ISO200)

29 comments:

Rodrigo Rodrigues said...

Thank you for visiting. Whenever you can go and leave your comment. I love the colors of your photos. Congratulations, hug

Katherine said...

Ooooo yucky Rick ... it's an alien predator not a bug and those blistery looking things on it's back look like little face suckers getting ready to burst out and claim a host. Shiver !!!
I can't tell you these are beautiful photos but they're great macros ... very good!!
Thank the good Lord that he didn't make elephants this small & bug big like elephants... I would never leave the house!!!

imac said...

My word Rick, Looks like she's going to the ugly bug ball,lol.
I must admit, I dont think I would want to get down to this shot, wonderful macro shots from you here.

Rick said...

@Rodrigo Rodrigues - thank you Rodrigo!

Rick said...

@Katherine - yes, I agree - very much like aliens! And I'm just as glad as you that the good Lord kept them this small - so they can only inflict 'little' bites instead of eating us whole!

Rick said...

@imac - LOL! the ugly bug ball - I love it!!

Yes, I was a little worried as I got close that it wouldn't decide to grab me by the nose!

Carolyn Ford said...

Super macro! I, too, am glad that these guys aren't the size of elephants...although through a good lens they nearly are. A bug with bugs! There should be a spray for that ailment...

Raziff Lokman... said...

good macro! yeah..lucky its not as big as the elephant..but for those ants/termites (or anything smaller,would find this beast scary!

Teté M. Jorge said...

Que impressionante!

Ainda não tinha visto um desses... e com ovinhos... que espetáculo!

Eu visito sempre um blog onde tem vários insetos diferentes... por que você não faz uma consulta ao "dono" do espaço? http://laubainerie.blogspot.com/

Beijos.

S. Etole said...

ewwww .... :-)

Rick said...

@Carolyn Ford - thanks Carolyn. Yes - I'm thankful cameras can make them look bigger and we can see the details, without them being BIG! Ha - this one looks armour-plated - might need a heavy boot vs a spray!

Rick said...

@Raziff Lokman - welcome Raziff; thank you for following. Yes - I would not want to be an ant and come face-to-face with this monster! I'd be dead of a heart attack before he could eat me!

Rick said...

@teca - thank you. I am checking out that blog right now!

Chad said...

Not a big bug person,but they are some great macro shots. Tonight I'm going to make sure I sleep with my mouth shut.

Rick said...

@S. Etole - *grin*

Rick said...

@Chad - I hear you Chad; thanks. By the way, good plan ;-)

My name is Riet said...

Mooie foto's van dat monster Rick.
Fijne dag!

darlin said...

Awesome macro, gross bug!

Sharon M said...

They're interesting creatures, but I can't say I'm crazy about bugs. I don't mind them if they don't sneak up on me, which they usually do, and then they scare the crap out of me!

Unknown said...

1 - LMAO@imac... ugly bug ball... HAHAHAHA!!! Awesome.

2 - Rick these shots are magnificent. You are some brave! ;o)

3 - EW! GROSS! Ewewewew! I know I hold tarantulas and snakes and other critters but this is way too gross. It wasn't in your house was it? Nevermind, I don't want to know. lol There... got it out of my system. lol

Anonymous said...

Wow!! amazing macro shots. Are those her kids on her back?

Grrr, I don't like bugs, but this shot is lovely.

Rick said...

@Riet - dank u wel. Een heel fijn weekend Riet!

Rick said...

@darlin - thanks, and I agree :-)

Rick said...

@Sharon M - I'm with you! I'm glad I spotted this one before she spotted me.

Rick said...

@Krista - thanks Krista; I did keep a good eye or 2 on her while I was making the shots - ready to spring back if she tried a move! ;-)

No - it was in the yard when I spotted it. I don't think my wife would have let me make some photos first if it had been in the house - I would have got the immediate KILL IT! order.

Rick said...

@M. Hassan - thank you M. Yes, I believe she's carrying a bunch of babies on her - and they appear to be as ugly as she is!

Rick said...

@Julia - yep - sure am glad I didn't find them in the house!!

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

You have a very wise son. I thought this bug was beautiful until I read your post...but then...how sweet—to carry babies on its back (I guess).

Rick said...

@Jeanne Klaver - it was beautiful, in a way. I didn't know if it belonged to the 'good guys' or not, but I certainly couldn't dispatch it when I'd just taken its photo!