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THE KILL


THE KILL
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2980 W: 108 N: 7751] (25112)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-22
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-06-22 7:25
Viewed: 1069
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
THE KILL

I shot this picture just an hour ago.
I live on the ground floor, so I have a fairly good company of all sorts of creatures that make their appearance during hot summers. You have already seen flies, spiders, roaches and geckos. Today I present an army of ants.
The house is milling with very small sized black ants these days. They are everywhere -- kitchen, toilet and even my bedroom. I do not wish to harm them, though there are ways ants can be terminated inside houses by specialists.

Anyway, I saw this scene an hour ago. The ants had, apparently, killed this small juvenile cockroach and were carrying it together to the small little hole in the chink between the wall and the door-frame of the toilet. They were doing it pretty fast. The only snag was that the hole was too small to accommodate the prey, so they would turn around after giving it a try, carry it for some distance in the opposite direction and then turn again homeward.
While I write this note, they are still trying to get the kill inside. Only time would tell if they succeed.

I took quite a few shots of this scene, but because of poor light conditions inside the house, I have not been able to take a really sharp and crisp image.
Anyway, here it is for its documentary value, if any.

PS(a day later):
Yes, they managed to get the kill inside their home somehow. Their activities got quieter by evening; obviously, a feast was going on :-)!

Thanks for looking.
fartash, Matt-Bird, eqshannon, SkyF, dew77, gannu, haraprasan, Adanac, saeedabbasi has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To maheshpatil: Hiramthakur 1 06-23 07:07
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Ram
Very intersting Killing Scene :-)
Perfect details,composition and lighting,
Superb shot ,TFS.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2007-06-22 7:30]

YIKES!!
Hi Ram,
poor little thing!! :(
Great shot that shows the power of a swarm of ants.
Well done,
Joey

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 422 W: 71 N: 984] (4241)
  • [2007-06-22 7:37]

Hi Ram,
life (or dead) in a nutshell. Fine capture of this situation. Thanks for sharing, Jacob

It isn't a complete site on natural events without all of the components and you are documenting well Dr. Ram. It is a part of survival and not which tends to be ignored. You give me an idea...nothing terribly morbid but I do have some pics of nature in it's last day.

Bob of the Mountains

Hello Sir,
This is a common scene in India as well but we never pay attention to it and take pains to capture it. Even in poor light, you have managed a good picture with flash. It has some bluish tint. Details are preity good, no probs with that. They will take this pray in their hole by making its peices. Ants are very intellegent insets (are they?). I will be happy to know the reults tomorrow. :)

Regards
Mahesh

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-06-22 9:17]

Hi Ram,
well one good thing about having ants in the house..... they are getting rid of your coackroaches.
Very good macro shot, the details and sharpness are excellent.
Sky

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2007-06-22 9:29]

Hello Ram,
It isnt a lovely scane but excellent capture:)Sharpness,exposure,framing and composition are perfect.
TFS..:-)

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-06-22 10:38]

Hi Ram,
Amazing documentary shot - almost it tells a full story in this small frame. It also illustrates explicitly that life is all about survival and collective effort. Also it is very interesting to observe each and every ant and their different roles in the whole act. Such a common but poignant scene captured with an meticulous eye. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2007-06-22 11:05]

Hi Ram,

Unbelievable! I never knew an army of ants could kill a cockroach. You captured this very well - maybe too well.

Jane

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2007-06-22 11:53]

Ram sir, not an interesting one but cant help it. One has to go with the destiny. Looking at destiny point of view sir nice shot and you were ready with your camera. TFS Ganesh PS I dont know whether you are counting your return days to india, I am counting. Looking forward to seeing you.

Hi Mr. Ram,
A very well captured shot though low light and also the ants are also fast. The focus is very good. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 922 W: 99 N: 1396] (4799)
  • [2007-06-22 12:33]

Hi Ram

You are braver than me. I hate ants (at least those indoors) I can handle snakes (despite being bitten and hospitalised by one)... I can cope with rats (not indoors either), but ants I do not tolerate well at all. I find polyfiller is the best option (for the holes they use - works well with mice as well) but mine are only after the jam and honey in my kitchen shelves or trying to get out after swarming inside! We have 3 different species living in our lawn)...

Anyhow great shot with good detail and DOF and sharpness and excellent notes.

TFS
Emma

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1049 W: 1 N: 4160] (13980)
  • [2007-06-22 21:40]

Hello Ram,
Great posting, nature at work, I would guess they will disect it to get it in. Great sharpness and exposure, thanks for sharing Ram.
Rick

Hello Ram, interesting photo, everybody got it, is one less roach in the worlf... and I'm fine with that... :)
..well done my friend

Hi Ram,
Sometimes its hard to get shots of ants at work but you captured the action well.
best regards
Matt.

Hi dear Ram ,
interesting shot with excellent focus.
well composed and wonderful coloures.
well captured
My best wishes
Saeed

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