<< Previous Next >>

I LOST MY WING!


I LOST MY WING!
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: 2007-04-04
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-07 6:38
Viewed: 515
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
HOVERFLY WITH A MISSING WING

We have quite a few Hoverflies in our patch of garden these days. They hover, fight and mate all the time. The other day while I was trying to shoot another macro of a hovering Hoverfly, I noticed one of them perched immobile on a leaf. It did not fly away when I got closer. Then I realised it had a wing missing! It looked like it had lost it in recent fight over a female.
Here is a picture of that cripple.
By way of a note, some basic information is produced below from Wikipedia:

Flies in the Diptera family Syrphidae are commonly known as hoverflies, flower flies, or Syrphid flies.

As their common names suggest, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores and prey on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects. Aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars of damage to crops worldwide every year, and so aphid-feeding hover-flies are being recognised as important natural enemies of pests, and potential agents for use in biological control. Adult syrphid flies are important pollinators.

Many Syrphids mimic bees or wasps in appearance. It is thought that this mimicry protects hover flies from falling prey to birds and other insectivores which avoid eating true wasps because of their sting. However a flower fly and a wasp can be distinguished by counting the wings: the flies have two wings, and the wasps and bees have four. They can also be distinguished by simply looking at the head: if it looks like a fly's head, then it is likely a fly. Hover flies get their name from their characteristic flight pattern of hovering nearly still, then darting a short distance very rapidly only to start hovering again, a pattern not seen in the wasps and bees they mimic.

About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described.

TFL.
claudine, Matt-Bird, fartash, volkan, uleko, horia, glazzaro, greenpinkorange, jcoowanitwong, Alex99, delic has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Poor thing Ram!
Will it be able to fly, it seems like it. Those females are very though aren’t they? This is a very nice capture with great details and beautiful colors. I like this brilliance in its eyes. DOF, composition and this BG are beautiful. Thanks!
Claudine

Hi Ram,
Nice photo. The DOF is just right and nice and sharp.
Regards
Matt.

Hi Ram, amazing macro with splendid details, nice blurry BG, very well done, happy Easter to you, ciao Silvio

Hello Ram
Very nice shot of this wingless Hoverfly,
Perfect focusing and using of flash,
Great Compo and Framing (font also),Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • volkan Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 427 W: 16 N: 1047] (6286)
  • [2007-04-07 12:11]

Hello Ram,
Great capture and fine details.
The point of view and colors are brilliant.
TFS

Hi ram,

When i was in gallery i thought this space craft has at last landed down to earth and ram was at the right to capture the same but this one was different with the note saying lost wing i observed it very carefully and yes this pic is so detailed it shows it perfectly. Love the POV and everything in this pic.

Tfs & happy weekend

Pawan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2007-04-07 13:06]

Hello Ram,
Poor little Hover Fly! I don't recall seeing them fighting but I must have a closer look this summer because I'm sure they do, like all other creatures on this planet!! Good shot in a very nice composition.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

bonjour ram
j'aime la posture de la mouche en train de ce gattrer le dos,pour ce qui est de la qualité de la photo rein a dire.bravo.
laurent
pas beaucoup de temps en ce moment

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-07 14:12]

Hello Ram

A very interesting observation,I wonder how it will cope with the loss of a wing.Very good sharp detail and well saturated colours.Nicely composed in the frame,with excellent DOF.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2084 W: 216 N: 3766] (12498)
  • [2007-04-07 14:24]

Hi Ram

A splendid macro work here from you!
The details and quality of the textures here are simply impeccable and very very sharp and show this beautiful hoverfly excellently.
The pose is also interesting but i guess that has at least partially to do with the missing wing...
Excellent lighting and exposure, superb natural colors and exceptional use of the shallow DOF here.

Bravo, TFS and Happy Easter!
Horia

Harmony of atmosphere, colours, lightning Ram. Nice DOV, excellent copmosition. Very well done. Tfs. Stev.

Excellent macro, love the close up shot and the crisp detail, well taken.

Greg

oh.. poor guy.. can i still fly?
a good shot with good details and colors. the eyes are really clear and it looks rather interesting.
funny position faced down like that.
steph

Hello Ram,
Very nice macro shot. Crystal clear and well shown picture. Hope it still able to fly with one damaged wing.
JC

Hi Ram,
This is a poor fellow who has not only lost his wings but also a chance to mate! A very useful note and a good picture. Just a personal opinion, the frame looks a bit gaudy to me which takes the punch away from the picture.
BTW I met Ganesh when he was in Bangalore yesterday and we talked a lot about TN and how it has helped us to learn photography and develop friendship.
TFS
Goutham R

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3043 W: 148 N: 4547] (14679)
  • [2007-04-09 13:54]

Hi Ram.
Cute picture of this poor fellow. Amazing pictured scene, great sharpness and details of the hoverfly, nice smooth BG, pleasant soft lighting and colour palette. Well done and my best regards. TFS.
Alexei.

Hello Ram,
Interesting details are well captured!
Well composed image, the situation is well seen and nicely depicted...
Macro work is well done, the insect stands out well with sharp fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-04-11 8:54]

Excellent macro work with a story, Ram. Too bad about the missing wing. Focus is spot-on, and the level of detail on the hoverfly is impressive. Well done my friend.
Best wishes,
Hakan

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-04-14 13:42]

Hi Ram,
ohh wonder if it will fly again, right now it seems it is taking a rest though.
Beautiful composition, I love how it clings to the leaf. The colors are wonderful.
Sky

Hi Ram,
Excellent macro shot,
Beautiful colors and details,
I like background alot,
Well done

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF