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The Mantid


The Mantid
Photo Information
Copyright: Pankaj Bajpai (pankajbajpai) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1558 W: 105 N: 4679] (16507)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-11-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D80, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/16, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-11 8:29
Viewed: 747
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Another shot from the archives. This is one of the insects which has attracted me very much due to its predatory habits.

Notes are collected by reading on mantis and watching shows on discovery and animal planet. :-0)

The praying mantis is a great predator and has excellent skills. It can kill insects larger then its own size, small mammels like rats, reptiles like small snakes and humming birds too. It likes eating flies too.

Most of the time it start eating the prey alive and its long frontal legs with the spikes makes it impossible for the prey to escape. you can see the spikes clearly in this photograph.

There are almost 2200 varities of the mantis and its found everywhere from rain forests to deserts. It has great ability to hide itself in the surroundings. It may looks like a green leaf or a dry leaf or hide in between of flowers. There is a mantid which lives in white orchid and has white colored body, another one is boxer matis which moves the upper legs like a boxer.

The female of the species is larger then that of male and after mating the male mantis become food of the female so that she can get good amount of protein for the eggs. This kind of behaviour is rare in nature. Sometimes the female attacks the male during the mating session it self. I was surprised to know that a male mantis without head was completing the mating process and later on tried to escape from the female matis. The female has eateh his head while the male was mating. The male has always a danger of getting killed in the process of mating but nature always selects the most simple way to do things.

The cocoon is made by the foamy liquid which is formed by the female and has dozens of eggs in them.

The mantis leaves skin like a snake.

The manis is here in this worls since ancient times and its found in the old coins and the marks left bu the ancient civilisation.
cataclysta, haraprasan, Royaldevon, Heaven, eqshannon, jaycee, Jamesp, vral, xTauruSx has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pankaj
Mysterious and deadly lady. Great photo. Nice, elegant black background. Good sharpness, great diagonal composition I like it very much
TFS
Krzysztof

Hello Pankaj,

What interesting notes. All I can say is MEN BEWARE!!!

Superb close-up showing the details of the long, spiked legs and the alert, inquisitive face.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 811 W: 108 N: 1736] (6060)
  • [2008-09-11 12:40]

Hi Pankaj!

I have looked at your picture with great pleasure and I'm impressed both by the insect and the quality of the image. I'm even more impressed after having read the very interesting and instructive notes. Now, I know a lot about that fascinating insect.

Kind regards

Markus

You do have a number of these and whatever you did, you got the mechanics down when the shoot took on...Very nice additional positioning...and BTW I know how hard you work at day jobs so if some times you cannot post its ok to me...I still await your every shot!
Bob

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-09-11 21:52]

Hi Pankaj,

It's so good to see another of your wonderful mantis shots. The pose is amazing! Magnificent colors and razor sharp details - the face and legs are superb. A beautiful composition - very striking against the black background. I loved your notes too.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2008-09-11 23:06]

Hi Pankaj

A lovely shot - excellent composition combined with good colour. Works well with the black BG.

James

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-09-11 23:09]

Hi Pankaj,
Outstanding portrait shot of this great looking Mantid with immaculate sharpness and clear details. I like its crouching pose and those big eyes'. Good use of flash lighting and the resultant black BG makes the image look so special. Excellent DOF and composition. Thanks for sharing this fine image.
Sumon

Hi Pankaj Da,
Yet another beautiful portrait of this killer in your collection. Very well composed shot with sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • vral Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 64 W: 1 N: 218] (1049)
  • [2008-09-12 2:21]

Hi Pankaj,

Fantastic macro work with flash. I like the eye details and stunning pose. DOF and POV are fantastic. You've produced an another interesting macro of this Mantid.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
vral

Hi Pankaj, an excellent close-up with wonderful details. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Deniz

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-09-12 13:08]

Hi Pankaj,
a very impressive macro!
The composition is great.
Superb use of flash with a great BG.

Well done,
Joe

Hello Pankaj,
Beautiful capture of praying mantis in its finest pose against a dark BG where it stands out well with perfect details, sharpness & a confident smiling alien look ;) TFS.
Regards-Ranjan

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-09-12 21:10]

Hello Pankaj Lovely BG making this insect standing out. Great view and superb angle. I like the shining eye. Ganesh

Bonjour,
Un joli contraste, bon cadrage.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hello Pankaj,

Excellent close-up of this mantis. Splendid composition. Great focus and sharpness. Superb colours with a good use of the flash.
Cheers,
Mariki

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