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Staggering
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Two male Stag Beetles (Lucanus cervus). My wife and I recently moved into a new flat and it seems we have a healthy population of Stag Beetles in the garden. I first found a male four weeks ago after hearing it rustling in a large shrub (see image posted here). Unfortunately I believe he came to a sad end as I found the jaws and wing cases a few days later.
Last night, four weeks later, I was near the same shrub when I heard similar rustling coming from some large, empty plant pots stacked together. There were a few dead leaves in the bottom, and sure enough when I looked it was a Stag Beetle. I picked him up and took some shots on an old branch. As I was putting him back near the base of the shrub I heard more rustling in one of the other plant pots - another Stag Beetle! So I carefully picked them both back up and placed them on the branch for more pictures. Unfortunately by then the light was fading rapidly so I had to use fairly strong flash to get a result.
What struck me was the difference in size between the two males. You can see the one on the right is much smaller. I can only think that it was not so fortunate with it's food supply when it was a grub. I'm also fascinated by the array of sensors around the head. I think that as well as helping them find a mate, they may also help them find decaying wood to lay their eggs in.
The UK's largest, and surely most spectacular beetle is becoming rare due to habitat loss. The larvae feed on rotting stumps and trunks - and with tidier gardens these are removed before they can mature (which can take up to seven years!). So if you live in Southern England please try and keep an old trunk or stump somewhere in your garden. Hide it inside a shrub if you don't want it visible. It's pretty much all these wonderful insects need to survive so it's not a lot to ask for!
The shot has not been cropped, just a little sharpening.
Kind Regards
Vinny www.vincentblood.com |
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- Chiza
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 34 W: 0 N: 197]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif)
(964) - [2009-06-21 8:25]
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Hola Vinny: Que poderosos se ven estos escarabajos, captados en un momento muy especial; me gusta mucha la toma, gran nitidez y color y un entorno fabuloso...saludos.Luis.
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(32266) - [2009-06-21 12:36]
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Hi Vinny. I hope you both are enjoying your new home. To find one stag Beetle would be good but two at the same time just great. The light may have been fading but you have taken a fine picture with good detail and rich colours. well done TFs.
Nick..
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- joey
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(24727) - [2009-06-21 14:18]
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Outstanding shot of these two Stag Beetles!
Superb sharpness.
Great composition.
The poses you've captured are great too.
Well done, Vinny!
Joe
P.S. I'll reply to your emails soon!
Hi Vinny...
Nice catch and perfect picture...Details and sharpness very good...I like the action...Composition very good...TFS.
Kind regards
Leyla
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 772 W: 0 N: 280]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1259)