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Cicada Study Image 2Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 20 January 2009 in Animal & Insect.
Comments (13)
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, GermanyAh, now I see, it's bursted. A fine Jack Arnold effect. :) 20 Jan 2009 8:51am @MadScientist: Don't think I've actually seen one after it emerged. I've certainly never managed to get a photo of one, though at the moment, they're not active. Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New ZealandI can't believe you Cicadas are so brown! Here in NZ they are black and incredibly noisy!!! Great stuff coming from you and you macro lens!! 20 Jan 2009 9:03am @Linerberry: There are 2500 species of Cicada. I don't know about NZ, but there are 220 different species in Australia, so you probably have a few different kinds as well. This image is of the skin they leave behind. I've never actually managed to capture a mature adult after shedding the skin. I have no of the color of the fellow who left this behind. k@ from Paris, FranceWhat are Cicadas ?? People from Mars ??? Never saw such aliens in France but nice to meet you, guyz, thanks to those great macro shots ! 20 Jan 2009 10:05am @k@: I bet you have some but they're probably not so obvious in the city. I heard them chirping for 40 years before I ever took note of what they looked like. However, this isn't really what a mature adult looks like either --this is just the shell left behind. Mature Cicada images can be seen here. But the short description of this critter is: Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives, at depths ranging from about 30 cm (1 ft) up to 2.5 m (about 8½ ft). The nymphs feed on root juice and have strong front legs for digging. In the final nymphal instar, they construct an exit tunnel to the surface and emerge. They then molt (shed their skins), on a nearby plant for the last time and emerge as adults. The abandoned skins remain, still clinging to the bark of trees. This image is of the abandoned skin. dang from Atlanta, United StatesGreat start, you'll really enjoy the new toy come Spring. 20 Jan 2009 12:03pm @dang: Thanks. I tried some other stuff but I didn't have my flash with me and sharpness suffered. This guy was in direct sunlight. Your last photo was on December 16th. What's up? @Ana Lúcia: Thank you, and thanks for looking. grant from kansas city, United Stateslike a miniature dinosaur - fantastic in every sense of the word 20 Jan 2009 2:03pm @Veronelle: Merci. Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdomwow . . this is really good and sharp on the front foot . . looking forward to a whole sub-portfolio of macro images, now ! 20 Jan 2009 5:41pm @Ronnie 2¢: Even at f16 there was a very limited DOF. Thinking about it now, I had enough light I could probably have cranked down another stop or two. dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United Statesthese would look great in b/w -- at least in theory!! :) 22 Jan 2009 12:28am @dj.tigersprout: I think so too, but my tendency is to try to represent a "natural" subject like this in its actual colors --or close to it-- at least on the first pass. But maybe I should revisit these shots in b&w. Amir from Tehran, Iranif you like to increase the DOF, you could try to take multiple shot with varying focal distance and the use a CombineZP to stack them up 22 Jan 2009 3:35pm @Amir: But that would mean using a tripod, or having a steadier hand than I do. I might try it though when I'm using a tripod --which is rare. Damon Schreiber from Toronto, CanadaGreat photo - I think cicada shells must make very compliant subjects! 24 Jan 2009 6:04pm @Damon Schreiber: They're "slow" enough for me to actually get the shot. dang from Atlanta, United StatesWell, to answer you're question... 31 Jan 2009 11:36am @dang: I'd say the bug population is down, but I was looking for shots yesterday and there were plenty of what we call "love bugs" around in our very spring-like weather. They may be getting fooled by Mother Nature. |
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