<< Previous Next >>

Mosquito


Mosquito
Photo Information
Copyright: Art Roberts (Art_R) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 201 W: 16 N: 483] (1995)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-20
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D 80, AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm w/ TC20EII, 62mm UV
Exposure: f/25.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-21 19:43
Viewed: 495
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Folk's , hope everyone is having a great weekend :-)

Early in my walk today I decided it was too muggy and hot for me , coupled with focus destroying windiness and hoards of these little creatures , I packed my camera back into my pack and headed home , a day of quite rest in a cool basement seemed like a good plan.

so I have this insect that I took yesterday.

I mentioned in yesterdays post of my experiment with a speedlight set to TTL auto detect mode , as part of my experiment I also availed myself to try some flower shots , the asters have just recently come to bloom , and from results with my old canon camera I found this flower was one that easily color washed taking on a mostly white appearance. many asters bloom along these pathways , in colors of pinks , purples ,and white. I wanted to get a bit of practice in with them cause I have little doubt that I will sooner or later come across a nice butterfly sitting on one , and this time I would like a shot that captures the nice colors of the flower as well as the insect.

as soon as I had set up my tripod and framed in this flower and the accompanying bud along walked a big old ant :-\ I watched it circle the bud and walk down the stalk , by the time I looked in my view finder this mosquito had moved in ... so I just went with it , moved my gear in closer and took a couple shots.

considering the bright sunlight , and the fact that I had used a flash I was fairly happy with how the color of the flower came across , I hope if I see a butterfly on one that I have the same luck. with the flower alone a touch of underexposure is what I find works best to flatter the delicate color.

well a bit about the mosquito , I guess first off they are not all that popular :-D well unless you are a dragonfly. that is the point I try to see when I am feeling badgered by these pesky little squeeters , lots of mosquitoes feed the dragonflies.

this mosquito is likely a member of the Anophelines subfamily the distinction is made by how it rests with its proboscis sticking outwards like this , though resting on a flower I believe this is likely a female , the males antenna have a more feathered appearance , if it where a male then it is sitting on a nice meal , the male mosquitoes eat nectar , or honeydew , but will also draw blood. the female on the other hand requires a blood meal in order to reproduce. eggs are laid on water , and the larvae and pupae stages are spent in water. the mosquito is mostly active in morning and evening hours , that is not a strict rule or anything , during the day they will seek cover in shade , lying in wait in places like a field of grass , I am sure just about any one here has walked through a field to discover that. looking behind to see the hoard that has been disturbed... though disturbed into the air , it is actually our breath that they see and follow , specifically the carbon monoxide exhaled. I find, at this time of year, that being conscious of that can actually serve as a method to misdirect the mosquito's. when a cloud of mosquitos catches up with me I will walk faster , and watch the way I breath , taking slow deep breathes in , and quickly exhale down wind. try to imagine the way that your breath may look if it was say a colorful cloud ( like it is to a mosquito) exhaling quickly disrupts the typical path of that cloud that leads this little insect to us. may sound a bit funny , but it does actually work.

though many of us are not particularly affected by the bite of this insect seldom getting any allergic reaction , it is good to keep in mind that these little guys can carry some rather dreadful viruses , West Nile virus comes to mind. I hope all the good folks here see fit to take the measures they can to protect themselves from this little but potentially harmful insect. little things such as repellent , loose fitting clothes , long sleeves and pants , instead of shorts and short sleeves , can go a long ways to make the mosquito more bearable, and reduce its potential harm.

thanks for stopping in
regards
Art
goldyrs, bobair, SueThomson, lousat, Adanac, cicindela, LordPotty 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
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-21 21:04]

Hello Art

A very interesting and unique perspective for our friend the mossy here.
Not oft associated with beautiful flowers but it certainly has endeared itself here.
The colours are wonderful,very good lighting.
The pov and dof are very good.
Well done.
Sorry to hear the humidity and heat chased you in,I know how that can be.
TFS

Rob

I'm glad you had your tripod, Art...Very well captured!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 384 W: 84 N: 1256] (4608)
  • [2008-06-21 23:08]

Hi Art,
this is a very good capture of that little blood sucker,an insect that most people would like to never see or experience directly.Mosquitoes do have value in the larger picture and should never be made extinct as there are so many creatures we humans like that depend on them existing and I for one would hate to see them gone forever,bites and all.This photo has great colour and the focus is very good and the POV is as well.For such a tiny insect,Art,you have really brought out excellent detail and could be considered High River's main macro man as I have not as much experience with the very small.Thanks for giving us this view and yet another side of life here in High River not so well examined by myself through photography,excellent capture Mr. Roberts. Bob

Hi Art
I agree with you, the colour on your flower is superb....the mozzie was a bonus. He is nice and sharp where it counts so well done.
Cheers
Sue

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3062] (11322)
  • [2008-06-22 2:42]

Hi Art,this is the only insect that i prefere to kill!! The pic is beautifull,details and colors impressive,have a nice Sunday and thanks for the note,Luciano

Hi Art, I have just spent the last hour trying to capture an image of a mossie, this is superb, great POV and a sharp, clean well focused fly. excellent work here and well done. regards hc

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15130)
  • [2008-06-22 20:53]

Hello Art,
I see you are continuing to posting superior work. This is a wonderful image Art and you have included some great information. Splendid job Sir.
Rick

Hi Art,
Terrific macro of the peskiest insect on the planet..
Excellent photography!!

:)
Jane

Hello again!
This is really good macro - it is not easy to photograph in such good way so small insect like mosquito! I like natural light and colours too :)
Friendly yours,
Radomir

wow amazing catch! Great comment too, never knew that insects follow your breath... I guess breathing with the wind will be the way to go now. :)
Very nice colours and great focus on the mosquito.

Hi Art,
I missed this when it was posted,but just found it from the Trek Lens forum.
A great shot of this mozzie,but I can't help wondering
.... what would a mosquito want with a flower?
A really interesting shot.
Cheers
Steve

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF