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Praying mantis.


Praying mantis.
Photo Information
Copyright: Luis Leal (Luis52) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-06
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D80, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Exposure: f/14.0, 1/160 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-08 14:46
Viewed: 1357
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A Praying mantis, or Praying mantid, is the common name for an insect of the order Mantodea. Often mistakenly spelled preying mantis (an eggcorn, since they are notoriously predatory), they are in fact named for the typical "prayer-like" stance. The word mantis derives from the Greek word mantis for prophet or fortune teller. The preferred pluralization is mantids, though there is some usage of mantes or mantises.

Like all insects, a praying mantis has a three- segmented body, with a head, thorax and abdomen. The abdomen is elongated and covered by the wings in adults. Females have strong and large cerci. The first thoracic segment, the prothorax, is elongated and from it arises the modified foreleg.

Senses
Mantis religiosa. Note the large eyes and antennaeMantids, with their huge compound eyes mounted on a triangular head, have a large field of vision. They use sight for detecting movement of prey and swivel their heads to bring their prey into a binocular field of view. They have a fully articulated head, and are able to swivel it 180 degrees as well as pivot it. Their antennae are used for smell.


Habitat
Praying mantids can be found in all parts of the world with mild winters and sufficient vegetation. Praying mantids will spend most of their time in a garden, forest or other vegetated area.

Diet
The foreleg modificationsBeing a carnivorous insect, the mantis feeds primarily on other insects. However, it is not uncommon for larger mantids to consume small reptiles, birds and even small mammals.

To capture their prey, mantids use their camouflage to blend in with the surroundings and wait for the prey to be within striking distance. They then use their raptorial front legs to quickly snatch the victim. It then uses the front legs to help position the victim so it may eat it better.

Predators
The primary predators of the praying mantis are frogs, monkeys, larger birds, spiders and snakes. Praying mantids will also prey on each other, usually during the nymph stage and during mating (Patterson), as well as when there is no other prey.

Saludos
Luis52
eqshannon, techranger, Alex99, jaycee, dB_grafix, zulfu, Juyona, MMM, gracious, uleko, zeca has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Not to far.Luis52 1 09-08 18:25
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Critiques [Translate]

That flash REALLY worked better than one I have seen in a long time Luis...flashes can be "iffy"...some work ok at best, but here you used it a little like the fella from Turkey who dies shells..Cannot remember the name, but in this case you used it super...I am getting ready to go on the road Luis, sometimes in November..how far do I have to go across the border to be at your place...
Bob

Luis,

Very nicely done - it looks to me like this mantis is actually smiling for ya! It looks great. TFS.

Best Regards,

Martin

Praying for a victim... look out... he is looking your way. Nicely lit and great capture. TFS

Larry

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3584 W: 143 N: 5669] (18531)
  • [2008-09-08 19:58]

Hi Luis.
Nice presentation of the mantis. I like pictured subject a lot, pose on the insect, inclined twig with dry grass create a wonderful composition. DOF and flash light are great as well as the sharpness of the entire image. Well done and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2008-09-08 20:05]

Hi Luis,
Excellent shot of this great looking Praying Mantis with lovely green colour and claer details. You have used the flash lighting really well and captured it in a fine pose. Superb "eye-contact" too. Perfect DOF and POV to portray it and a nice composition. Thqanks for sharing this fine image.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-09-08 22:01]

Hola Long Lost Cousin,

I have never seen a Praying Mantis in as wonderful a pose as this. Great details of all parts of his body. I love that eye and mouth! You did an amazing job with the flash and the lighting is superb. Excellent composition.

Jane

Hi Luis.
I like the positioning of this mantis.
It is nice that the flash did not blow out all the colour.
I don't see these around here, so TFS
D

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1055 W: 0 N: 162] (866)
  • [2008-09-08 23:38]

Hello Luis, great macro capture of a mantis.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

hi, wonderful sharpness for this green mantis, excellent sharpness, great color...
TFS
vero

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2262 W: 10 N: 2630] (15565)
  • [2008-09-09 2:10]

Hola Luis,
un insecto que siempre se me ha resisitido,
me cuesta mucho tomar una buena foto de el...

Excelente tu trabajo y equilibrado flash,
óptimo enfoque y bello pov, y color.
saludos amigo, mis mejores deseos para ti y los tuyos.

Hello Luis,

Excellent composition. Very good sharpness of the mantis. Superb colours with a great contrasting background.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2008-09-09 7:13]

Hi Luis
Nice capture.You almost have an etye contact with the insect.Good POV and sharp image.
TFS Michel

Hola Luis,
Como esta usted!
delighted to see your posting of the Mantis after a while!
perfect exposure and focus in the shot with great sharpness, natural colour and details
well done
muchas gracias
Tony

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2386 W: 94 N: 5517] (17564)
  • [2008-09-09 11:05]

Hello Luis,
Through the perfect use of flash, this is an excellent photo. Splendid colours against the black BG and very sharp. Amazing eye-contact / pose and composition.
Kind regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-09-09 13:19]

Excellent macro, Luis!
This is a very impressive insect.
Pin-sharp with great clarity.
Superb use of flash.
Very good contrast.

Well done!

Joe

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2008-09-09 23:09]

Hello uis,
Very fine capture of this Mantis in a nice pose. I like the way it is watching you!! Good use of the flash, fine details and and colours. Well composed too.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • zeca Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 373 W: 14 N: 538] (2881)
  • [2008-10-07 21:10]

Que bela captura, primo! O mantis parece olhar para você e sorrir. A foto está muito nítida e tem ótimo contraste.
Abraço,
Zeca

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