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Attack of the Hawkmoth


Attack of the Hawkmoth
Photo Information
Copyright: Silke Force (Silke) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-15
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D70S, Sigma 18-200 mm (F3.5-6.3)
Exposure: f/11, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-17 2:55
Viewed: 526
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In the absence of useful notes on the species (possibly Poplar Hawk-moth caterpillar?), at least until a knowledgeable TN member comes forward to identify this – do you think you could put up with a story?

I was in a hurry and dropped my camera and my purse on the stoop in front of the house to search for the keys. Something plopped fatly on my head and for a moment I thought that I had been anointed by a passing bird – a very large passing bird. I shuddered and leaned forward and heard a plump plop and saw this great green gob larger than a man’s thumb on top of the wallet in my purse.

I will admit that I am squeamish – green gobs are not within my comfort zone, and picking them up is so far outside my comfort zone as to qualify for interstellar travel. I began to tip the contents of my purse onto the step, watching in horror as the green glob vanished deeper into the recesses. Everything had to be removed from my purse before I could dislodge the unwelcome visitor.

But then I settled back into my normal form, picked up the camera and began to shoot. The creature at first simply lay there (image number 1) – probably stunned since it must have fallen from the birch tree whose branches were a full storey and a half above me. I pulled a leaf off one of my potted plants and slid it under the creature, which caused it to curl up and lie on its back (image number 2). In truth, this was a bit out of my comfort zone too; for I had no idea of how fast it might be able to move (logic played NO part in this!!) I snapped two more quick pictures and then the creature turned over and began to move off the leaf (image number 3).

I wanted one more image, so I tipped the leaf and its contents into a large paper coffee cup and took it into the back yard for one more try, this time with a macro lens. When I spilled the contents of the cup onto the wooden deck, I discovered that I was wise to be a bit wary of its speed. It moved too quickly to get a good focus on it and wriggled quickly off the deck, easily crawling down the vertical surface until it ran out of wood, It angled its fat body out into the empty air and then simply let go, falling to the concrete below and quickly moving under the deck, out of the sun and out of sight.

Where it vanished to, I cannot say. But I have warned my little dog to stay clear of the area under the deck – I have Stephen King visions of what might happen if he ventures under there.

Yes, Halloween is on its way :)

Tech: images 1, 2 & 3 captured with Sigma 18-200 mm (F3.5-6.3) lens; Image 4 captured with Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro. All converted from RAW to jpeg, cropped, resized, sharpened and assembled for posting.

Thanks for looking, for reading, for your assistance in identifying the creature and for leaving your critiques of my work
PaulH, gerbilratz, eqshannon, Argus, izler, nglen, gracious, XOTAELE, jaycee, cecilia, haraprasan, pierrefonds, angybone, clnaef has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To lousat: foggy picsSilke 1 10-17 12:41
To Argus: so glad you agreeSilke 1 10-17 12:23
To pablominto: fat fellowSilke 1 10-17 12:15
To eqshannon: your inspirationSilke 1 10-17 10:44
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 23 N: 3656] (13083)
  • [2007-10-17 3:09]

Hi Silke,
glad you recovered from your close encounter with this little green man..i'm a little squeemish too when it comes to things with more than 4 legs i must admit. I really enjoyed reading your notes.
As for the images themselves, very nice indeed. Love the vibrant green and excellent clarity in each one, very nice presentation.
tfs
Paul

Hi Silke ...Loathoe populis...Poplar Hawk Moth...absolutely gorgeous....nice clear images........Perhaps you can wait till they form chrysalis...keep them in a nice safe place and wait for them to pop out as stunning moths...get nice piccies as they break free and fill their wings!!!

Wow...what a story. I definitely think the picture would have stood on its own merits. But now I see how it must be for others reading my notes. You write very well. So the notes plus this picture are worth much more. It is a dynamic only a few use. I am not like Al Gore saying he invented the Internet, but I think my story and note writing has started a small trend with some and I'm sure it isn't a bad thing. It is a good thing and it makes me feel good...Great work...
Bob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 190 N: 11348] (34987)
  • [2007-10-17 7:26]
  • [+]

Hello Silke,
It is amazing what we as nature photographers sometimes have to undergo in order to produce a decent shot, occasionally as you describe, on the spur of the moment.
The result is worth the experience and your collage nicely presents different views of the Poplar Hawk-moth caterpillar, each shot being of a fine technical standard.
Well done and TFS!
Ivan

Hello Silke,
This fellow looks like fat, so I guess he had a good meal of something valuable in your garden!
Good details and the colours are nicely recorded, the collage is a good idea...
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 3 N: 30] (504)
  • [2007-10-17 9:54]

selam Silke
wonderful close-up working on this caterpillar of beautiful hawkmoth
i like composition, point of view, colours, details and collage
thanks for sharing
regards
izler

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8625] (32146)
  • [2007-10-17 9:59]

Hi Silke. Good for you for getting this as you are not to keen on this type of thing. loved reading the notes. the pictures ar4e all good showing fine detail and the bright greens so well. TFS.
Nick..

Hello Silke,
Four good composition of this little greenie!
the exposure and focus is good with details
colouration is excellent
TFS
cheers
Tony

Hi Silke, splendid collage of macro with great details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2007-10-17 12:32]
  • [+]

excellent work ! i hope to see antoher foggy pics in the next days !!! thnks for share,best whishes Luciano

Hola Silke.
Magnífica composición y fabulosa presentación.
Buena nota, un saludo, JL.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-10-17 14:28]

Hi Silke,

Not sure which I enjoyed more - your story or the pictures. You handled the incident much better than I would have. The four shots are wonderful - clear, sharp and vibrant colors. Excellent presentation.

Jane

Such a lovely work, with great colours and composition. Nice collage too.
Well done...
Cecilia

Hi Silke,
A beautiful story and real life experience. :D Love all the captures with very good details and composition as well as the collage as a whole. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Silke,

A very good explanation note, a nice image of the green moth, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

Very cool!
It's actually a pretty thing...lovely colors!

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-10-18 8:17]

Hello Silke

A very good documentation montage of this caterpillar.The focus is very good showining very good details.The colours are well saturated.Sorry I can't help with the ID but the images you have provided are superb and I am sure a proper ID will speedy.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 67 N: 645] (6814)
  • [2007-10-18 22:31]

Bonjour,
Jolie série très décorative.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

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