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Praying Manatis with Ootheca


Praying Manatis with Ootheca
Photo Information
Copyright: nagaraj vn (nagraj) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 567 W: 94 N: 1194] (4878)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-21
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Micro-Nikkor 105mm f.4
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-26 7:51
Viewed: 749
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Praying Mantis with Ootheca (egg case)

I tried to find out the scientific name of this species but its unsucceful search. I believe there are about 2000 species of praying mantis in the world.

On last sunday morning my friend joined me in lalbagh and he found this one. We were late to witness one of the rarely seen egg laying activity of praying mantis. These mantids lay there eggs in something like cocoon, the outer layer hardens soon (on top left side of the image) which is called ootheca (egg case). After laying the eggs safely, its parental work completed, leaves the case never to return. Here this one just completed laying the eggs and was leaving when we spotted it. As this one started to climbing down the grass stalk, we setup the tripod and took few frames (with and againt the sunlight).
This praying mantis stopped looking at us and hanging, swaying making it difficult to focus. Used fast shutter speed available sacrificing the depth, the ootheca going out of focus.
The babies (no idea what there are called) emerge mostly in the dark hours to avoid predators, which itself another spectacle.
uleko, maurydv, cataclysta, iris, Art_R, scshekar has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Nephrotome2: praying matisnagraj 2 09-30 06:01
To scshekar: pryaing mantisnagraj 2 09-28 21:55
To mickey: praing matisnagraj 1 09-28 03:56
To Argus: praying matisnagraj 1 09-26 10:32
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 162 N: 984] (2877)
  • [2008-09-26 7:53]

Hello Nagaray,
Wow, this looks like a really skilful tight rope dancer! Excellent composition showing the Mantis with an egg case. A beautiful composition in lovely light and colours.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Ciao Nagaraj,
spettacolare momento di cattura, eccellenti POV e composizione con un ottimo OOF BG, molto buona la definizione dei dettagli, bellissimi luce e colori.
TFS.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2008-09-26 8:35]
  • [+]

Hello Nagraj,
Nice sharp capture of a Praying Mantis hanging on a grass stem. I like the lighting and the mantis contrasts well with the OOF natural BG. The round object on the grass looks like some kind of gall.
TFS this fine image,
Regards, Ivan

Hi Nagaraj
Great moment - mantis and eggs Very elegant composition, good sharpness and perfect OOF background
TFS
Krzysztof

I found many dried ootheca but never got the luck tp find a fresh one. With the mother next to it, even better!
Rare capture.
When the photographer has a helper. it's often easy for the helper to create a shade on the subject. It would have removed the burnt areas on the arms and back. ligth can be a plus but it should then be a very thin line.
Don't get me wrong: excellent capture anyway.
TFS
JM

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 60 N: 947] (3016)
  • [2008-09-26 22:09]

Hello Nagraj,

A documentation of nature's process in the life a grasshopper, done with fine details, clarity and an eye-catching composition.
I think the grasshopper's positioning making you chose a PoV as this rather adds an interesting angle to the whole presentation.
I especially like the way it is looking right into your lens.

TFS & Cheers

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 194 W: 16 N: 618] (2530)
  • [2008-09-26 22:20]

Hi Nagaraj , nice image here ,excellent sharp focus , with a perfect soft background , also a very interesting subject. thanks for sharing it
regards
Art

Hi Nagraj,

Just as I was thinking of posting this to-day [my picture], anyway I like your note, though most of the time we photograph and not many go into details of the subject, its all about interest,patience & availability of time.

Well composed picture, good back ground and the egg sack adds to the story.TFS.

Hello Nagraj uncle, My exams are over and I am back. This is a beautiful shot. today I went out to shoot and saw some mantis. But they just rushed inside their home after hearing my foot noise. Good shot. Hope I will be able to do this one day. Vignesh

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-09-27 23:47]

Hello Nagraj, This is one of your best shot. Superb view and great clarity. Ganesh smiley tmrw

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2582] (9107)
  • [2009-04-12 3:49]

Hi Nagaraj,
lovely capture of this upside down composition.
The green is very discernible against the soft blurry green BG too.
well calculated and excellent beauty.

regards,
Foozi

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