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Mayfly


Mayfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764] (12035)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-11
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ-2-S
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-02-02 6:08
Viewed: 1397
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I shot this Mayfly on a recent trip with Gareth (the Lizard Man) to the bush and goldmines at Komata Reefs,near Paeroa,famous in New Zealand for its mineral water.
Mayflies (Order:Ephemeroptera)typically rest like this with both wings pointing upwards.They also skate at speed across water in this pose,looking like high speed yachts.
The back wings are tiny compared to those at the front as you can see from the shadow in the wing.Mayfly nymphs have three tail whiskers (cerci),adults usually have two.As with many flies of this type (including New Zealand Glow-worms,which are similar)the adults have no mouthparts,and only survive a few days,even for as little as an hour! Despite this,they are found in such vast swarms that they can clog gutters,and are even skimmed off ponds to be collected as food in Papua and New Ginuea.(Sago pancakes).
The nymphs cling to rocks in the water for up to four years eating algae and plants.
Mayflies are the most ancient and primitive Order of winged insects,with fossilised wing impressions dated some 300 million years ago. About 2,500 species are known worldwide,about 40 in New Zealand,all unique to this country. (Those last 2 statistics are identical for Cicadas too)
thistle, sAner, Fisher, azulu, Luc, marhowie, liquidsunshine has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To sAner: probably quiveringLordPotty 1 02-02 06:40
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Critiques [Translate]

Just pretty! I love the details. Great photo.

Very nice photo.
This insect looks really interesting. Nice composition and good details.
Well done!

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-02-02 6:18]
  • [+]

Good post. Good details though the very rear end of the Mayfly may be a bit out of focus. Or is it my monitor? The POV is well chosen.

Mayfly Dun. Perfect for fishing.
Excelent capture and well done on the composition.

Mike

  • Great 
  • azulu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 111 W: 0 N: 75] (374)
  • [2005-02-02 10:16]

Excellent compositios Steve. I like the colours and sharpness. The details are great. Very interesting subject. Good note as usual. Good job.

Congratulations

Alexandre

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2005-02-02 10:25]

Lovely capture Steve,
I never seen this insect before, very good composing shot, good colours good details, I think thepof can better, but I like the result so it is, good job

Very good sharpness & detail Steve! Very good notes also..Great job!

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2005-02-02 13:05]

Steve, thanks for sharing this, I always wondered what the mayfly looked like. When I fished for bass in the USA in 1985, the guys were apparantly the key to success. I never knew it and didn't do as well as I wanted to.

Excellent shot Steve,
Wonderful detail and colours.
Fantastic composition
Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-02-02 20:12]

Je suis surpri par la qualité de cette photo et de sa netteté. La composition est tout simplement parfaite et la prise de vue excellente.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-02-03 4:43]

Great photo Steve! I like details of wings and body and mossy BG. Very interesting note also.

Nice shot Steve interesting form
Well done.
TFS.

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