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Double Drummer


Double Drummer
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1718 W: 109 N: 3695] (12181)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-13
Categories: Insects
Camera: Pentax K100D Super, Sigma 70-300 DG Macro, Digital ISO-400, Matin 58mm UV
Exposure: f/16, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Invertebrates and fungi of the Sydney region 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-17 3:16
Viewed: 586
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Back in January I found a patch of woodland that was thick with cicadas. Unfortunately, most were high up in the trees, even though I was there fairly early in the morning. Then they began to sing and I knew they were drummers; deafening once the whole population gets “singing”.
I persevered, hoping to find a late emerging one, wish I had ear-plugs though. Eventually I found one, though not in a great position and climbing fast, but I managed a couple of shots.
It was a Double-drummer (Thopha saccata) and this one was a male, you can see the very large timbal cover below the wings. This is the organ that produces the characteristic loud piercing song. In this species the song is produced at a constant pitch.
They are a large cicada with a body length of about 65mm and a wingspan of 130mm. They are found in open woodland and tall open forests dominated by eucalypts, flying from November to March. They are distributed on the central east coast from near Fraser Island south to Moruya.

I put another view in the workshop.

Info: Cicadas of central eastern Australia by Lindsay Popple (here)
mayuresh, anel, uleko, mariki, aes_thor, LordPotty, Jacobo, RII has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Chris,
very good shot of this beautiful cicada.
Regards
Pierre

Hello Chris,
superb close-up shot of cicada with great details,
well done,
TFS.

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1242 W: 0 N: 2237] (9414)
  • [2008-06-17 7:07]

hello Chris,
This is such an interesting insect and how big it is! Must be impressive to see them. Both of your pictures are good and they allow us to see the Cicada from two sides. In my country they are so small, I really would like to see once one of these big insects.
Thanks and best regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-06-17 8:11]

Hello Chris,
I wish we had Cicadas here even though their sound is often deafening! Perhaps they'll arrive here as the climate changes! This is a great shot of this beautiful specimen. Great focus on the eye and very fine details and colours. It was well worth your effort! Well done!
TFS and cheers, Ulla

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639] (11925)
  • [2008-06-17 10:50]

Hi Chris,

A nice capture of this colorfull cicada,well capture,a bit a pity with the oof branch in the FG,anyway a nice capture,tfs

Paul

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1064 W: 64 N: 2234] (9195)
  • [2008-06-17 12:27]

Hello Chris,

Very good picture of this cicada. Excellent POV, DOF and sharpness. I like the detail of the eye. Very good light and splendid colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hi Chris
Lovely macro with excellent detail. His eye and head are awesome. TFS
Cheers
Sue

Hi Chris,
perfect macro shot- excellent details and DOF, natural light and colours. Well done
cheers
Adrian

Awesome shot Chris,
I love Cicadas and this is a great capture of one.
Heaps of detail,and good natural colour.
You'd definitely need that UV filter in your bright sun.
Have you noticed the big herringbone patterned scars they leave on trees when they lay their eggs.
I've seen old ones that have grown with the tree to 500cm long or more!
Great post.
Cheers
Steve

Hola Chris.
Excelente fotografía de esta cicada. Me parecen formidables tanto el detalle como el colorido.
Saludos
Jacobo

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 354 W: 0 N: 300] (2268)
  • [2008-06-18 18:10]

Ola Chris
Incrivel foto desta bela cigarra, é muito dificel de se ver ela durante o dia,as cores são muito bonitas, a nitidez ficou muito boa e a luminosidade tambem.
Parabens
Nilson

  • Great 
  • RII Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 486 W: 0 N: 887] (2804)
  • [2008-06-22 22:36]

Hi Chris.

Interesant close-up this "chicharra" or cicada, very nice details and sharpness.

Thanks....RICARDO.

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