<< Previous Next >>

Horror Show


Horror Show
Photo Information
Copyright: Howard Cheek (marhowie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5754 W: 1225 N: 10586] (34593)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-03
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM, Digital ISO 400
Exposure: f/22, 6 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Bayram's Favorites-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-04 16:17
Viewed: 693
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Common Name: Dobsonfly
Scientific Name: Corydalus sp.
Order: Neuroptera

This male Dobsonfly flew in during the night, while letting the dogs in-n-out. I've called this "Horror Show" because he really looks like a nightmare..Tall, Dark, and..gruesome :)

I've ATTACHED A FULL SIZE VIEW IN THE WORKSHOP IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.

Description: Dobsonflies are large (can be over 2 inches long), and have long antennae. Their large, many veined forewings are often mottled. When at rest, wings are held flat over the back and extend beyond the abdomen. Males have long, extended curved mandibles which are used to grasp the female during mating. Aquatic immature stages, called hellgrammites are elongate, dull colored larvae with gill filaments and feathery gill clusters along the sides of the abdomen. They have two hooks on the end of the abdomen.

Alderflies (Neuroptera: Sialidae) are similar to dobsonflies but smaller. Larvae of alderflies differ from hellgrammites in that they lack the two hooks at the end of the abdomen.

Life Cycle: Immatures develop in water, especially well oxygenated and high quality water.

Habitat and Food Source(s): The adults probably do not feed. The long mandibles of the males would make feeding very difficult. Hellgrammites are aggressive predators that attack other aquatic insects and other organisms in the water. They are found in flowing rivers and streams hidden among rocks. Immatures can be collected in riffle areas of streams where they hide among rocks (see Mayflies).

Pest Status: Adults are noticed when attracted to lights at night. Immatures (hellgrammites) are collected and used as fish bait; immatures are fierce biters, but medically harmless.

Info courtesy of AgriLifeExtension.com, Texas A&M System.

Original cropped to 3600x2400, and I used the 36mm ext ring on this. The insect was not harmed in any way. The cooler temperatures of the house's air conditioned environment slowed it down enough for this photo shoot :)

Thanx for lookin'
Amadeo, CeltickRanger, ramthakur, jaycee, goldyrs, tuslaw, Luis52, rcrick, maurydv, mariki, JPlumb, Miss_Piggy, boreocypriensis, aes_thor, LordPotty, bobcat08, Argus, eng55, eqshannon, uleko, pekkavalo1, meyerd, sranjan 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
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Argus: First Species on TN?marhowie 1 06-06 06:49
To aes_thor: A Horrormarhowie 2 06-05 08:00
To jaycee: WSmarhowie 1 06-04 19:07
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 198 W: 0 N: 663] (2949)
  • [2008-06-04 17:02]

Hola Howard, muy buena aproximación, nitida y con muy buenos detalles, la versión completa es una excelente fotografia. Un saludo

alas I had no points, though I saw your image first...I simply had to go to your neighbor Ron's...I shall return on the morrow.....you should know..Ron is not a person I know other than he is from Ohio and not far from where I grew up and such....so we share many thoughts...TN is an amazing place, but here am I ...telling you the top ten of the list...Seize ya tomorrow Howard.
Bob

hello Howard

amazing creature this insect, with excellent warm luminosity
of the image, great sharpness and details of the subject,
i love much more the full view in the workshop, TFS

Asbed

Honestly, I wouldn't have been able to enjoy this super macro without the full image in your workshop, Howard.
Now that I know what the entire Fly looks like, I can only wonder at your gifts as a truly great photographer.
A macro of this magnitude simply leaves one stunned with amazement.
It was a double pleasure to admire both the shots.
Thanks.
Ram

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2008-06-04 18:47]
  • [+]

Hi Howard,

I must admit I had to go to the workshop to understand what I was looking at. The full view of this insect is marvelous. It is fascinating looking with intricate details that you show beautifully. The eye is amazing. I love the use of the VCR and the pretty flower with the lovely leaves. How clever!!

Jane

Howard,
The song's good, and when you tell us why you chose it for the title,I understand, but still, a fly and Love?
I love this shot...for what it is, and is simply superb in detail and the unique lighting!
Very well done, and the notes are awesome as usual!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 240 W: 8 N: 607] (1929)
  • [2008-06-04 20:12]

Howard,
When I first viewed this shot I couldn't figure out what end was up and what end was down. I then viewed your workshop photo and realized this was just the head! Wow, what an amazing macro!! This is almost like looking through a microscope.
Very well done!!!
Ron

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2802] (10144)
  • [2008-06-04 20:58]

Hi Howard.
Never seen this amazing creature before. Excellent Macro shot. Beautiful colors. Your note is also very interesting to read.
Saludos Howard.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 629 W: 42 N: 1156] (3736)
  • [2008-06-04 22:11]

Hi Howard,

Excellent macro and amazing detail and colour, I'm glad you posted the W/S because I never seen one of these before, still can't get over the size of those mandibles, lovely work mate, and thanks for showings something new to me, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

Spettacolare super macro, impressionante composizione che apprezzo maggiormente dopo aver visto la splendida immagine in WS, eccellente nitidezza e definizione nonostante il forte ingrandimento, bellissima luce con un uso perfetto del flash, bellissimi i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hello Howard,

Excellent sharp picture of the head of this dobsonfly. I am not a fan of such close-up but it is a very impressive one. Excellent detail and colours. The picture in the WS is very complementary and is great too.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hello Howard, very nice macro of this Dobsonfly. This is a species I hadn't even heard of before, so thanks for the introduction here. While the original shot was interesting from a purely technical point of view, I was drawn to the workshop (with your very inventive backdrop) to actually see the bug. Very interesting creature, excellent work on both shots, with great notes.

Thanks, John

Hallo Howard
I found this a very interesting posting and I found the workshop even more interesting and wonderful. It is such a strange looking insect with the head part of this fly that looks like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. The red eyes are almost magnetic. Well taken shot of this Dobsonfly. Clarity and details are really super. Espesially the fine details on the wings. I must admit I like the workshop more than the actual image. Focus, sharpness and presentation are great. A well deserved smiley. I thank you kindly for sharing. Friendly regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-06-05 1:48]

Woooowww! Now that is WEIRD!
I've never seen anything like it!
Stunningly detailed with excellent clarity.
Very well composed too.
Great DOF.

Well done, Howard!

Cheers,
Joe

Wowwww... Howard What an astonishing perfect capture my friend! Superb in all aspects. This the most desatiled capture which I have seen till now showing the mouth parts indeed.. Both capture is great- as usual. TFS and this should be take its place in my favs.! Cheers,

bayram

Both this and the workshop are stunning images.... cannot really fault anything!!.. but I am glad they are not bigger!!

Hi Howard!
Amazing close-up, looks really great, like a dinasour or creature from horror movies. Excellent quality, little to dark but still all the details can be seen.
TFS,cheers
Adrian

Whoa! Thats a freaky one Howard ... reminds me of the movie 'Alien'.
I had to check out the large view just to see exactly wot bit I was lookin at.You've just gotta post that one too .. or have you already? Its awesome anyhow.
I've not seen this on TN before.
Another great macro buddy.
Cheers
Steve

Hello Howard,

Wow what a macro. Amazing what a details. It's frightening.
I'm completly agree what Ramthakur said in his critiques. Congrats from me.

A perfect macro shot, but..........I love much more the full view in the workshop. Thanks for sharing. Regards and TFS BOB

Hi Howard, what is this an ugly son of Alien?
Fantastic portrait of this terrific creature, I never see before, thanks, I like WS too, great macro with fine details and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 0 N: 371] (1986)
  • [2008-06-05 13:27]

Hi Howard
this is very good macro study
great sharp and detail

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2613 W: 133 N: 7504] (23403)
  • [2008-06-06 2:02]
  • [+]

Hello Howard,
Seen from this POV and this magnification this macro does look like a portrait of an alien horror. In fact it took me some time to figure it out and was relieved to see the whole Dobson fly in the WS which is sharp and explicit, the rose helping to give us an idea of the size of this insect.
TFS this impressive and interesting post, first for the species on TN?
Have a good weekend,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-06 2:38]

Hi Howard,
Excellent macro shot.It's very close,well detailed and composed.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-06-06 12:31]

Hi Howard

Like the others I had to go to the workshop to understand what you were showing us. Now that I have seen the full insect I can enjoy this wonderful macro shot with more understanding. I have never seen one of these before. What an amazing creature! Amazing macro work here with a great POV and pin sharp details

TFS

Karan

Hi Howard,

Excellent horror picture. It is amazing what this these close-ups can show. Very good composition, sharp details and good colours.

TFS

Pekka

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2008-06-07 3:27]

Hello Howard,
This is really horrible - gives me nightmares!!
I like the image in the workshop though where I can see the whole insect! That is a brilliant composition showing the details very clearly and the colours and the background are beautiful. Well done!
TFS and have a nice weekend, Ulla

Hi Howard,
Both images are very good.
The 'Horror show' is some kind of 'Science fiction' close up:-)
The one in the workshop is technically well done and beautiful as well of course.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 392 W: 41 N: 735] (2314)
  • [2008-06-08 22:05]

Howard, The first time i saw it a couple of days back...i spend quite some time wondering before i noticed the workshop and i smiled and thought "'ocurse, it is only Howard who could pull this PoV off".....this is an absolutely creative PoV and i 'm sure many of us here would think of trying this sometime with our macros.The more I look at it, the more i see the details especially after the workshop shot....truly a 2050 reminding shot....well done..dear friend..
TFS & cheers

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2008-06-09 2:40]

Hello Howard, What a terric scene. Well composed and perfect lighting. The BG is actually lifting this shot. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 388 W: 63 N: 1144] (3523)
  • [2008-06-10 13:17]

Hi Howard,
my fault, my fault, I was'nt checking your gallery for a while. And now I discover your incredible Dobsonfly. I like the workshop version for entomological reasons but of course your impressionistic horror portrait is worth looking at as well. Thanks for this foretaste of Halloween.
Best regards
Dietrich

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-06-11 10:56]

Hi Howard,
Incredible macro image and your skill is aptly put to use. It really looks scary. If not for the workshop image I would have not known what it is. Great details captured here with a fabulous POV. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Howard,
Stunning macro photograph of the mouth part of this Dobsonfly; which is partly hidden behind the rose petals. A WS alongwith gives us better perception to the facts & the real horror show :)
Regards-Subhash

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF