This Preying (or praying if you prefer) Mantis seemed to be reprimanding me to be still and quiet. It’s not very nimble but does exhibit a fair amount of patience while prowling for the flies that were landing nearby.
Nikkor 85mm macro, ISO 500, f16, 1/15 sec, Tripod
I randomly collect little things, like a child never grown up, and deposit them into what I call my Macro Box. They sit there waiting for the day I don’t want to go outside. Today was that kind of day. This flower top is just such a thing. It might belong to the sunflower family but I’m not familiar with it. Up close it looks like maybe it comes from an Arizona desert rather from the edge of an Ohio farm field.
Protected Innocence
I captured this emerging sunflower in early August. It is slightly cropped. I chose to go Black and White to emphasize texture and contrast. I edit in Picasa.
Nikon D5200, 44mm, 1/30s, f5.3, ISO 200
A light frost had taken its toll on the Zinnia’s and I set about to clean them out. The bees, hover flies and skippers were just having to much fun in the blighted patch, so, I let them go a few more days and took pictures instead.Here’s one of my visitors for Musin with Susan’s Macro Moment -Week 17.
Last of the Dragonflies
While hiking Sunday, I came onto this Band-Winged Meadowhawk. A warm fall has extended its season. Some dragonflies will warm up and survive into November , even December. It chose this Dogwood as its post – a most convenient camo spot.
Nikon D5200, 300mm at 5′, 125s, f/10, ISO 200
A Handsome Devil
I’ve not done a weekly photo challenge in a while and thought these pics I took at a trails end might fit nicely with The Weekly Macro Photo Challenge: Week 14. Left to itself this wasp is quite docile and useful. Aggravate it and you’ll pay.
Nikon D5200, Focal Length 220mm, 1/250s, f5,3, ISO 640. Overcast
