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CHILD OF THE SUN


CHILD OF THE SUN
Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1306 W: 0 N: 2925] (8635)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-06
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, @ ISO 50
Exposure: f/7.2
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) of Europe, Tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) of the world, Insects (Insecta), Insects around the world, Insects' World [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-08-20 13:22
Viewed: 894
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello my Friends!
Yes, you are right! After a longer break the tiger beetle saga comes back! :>
And the reason is vey simply - this beetle group was my amain target during my entomological trip to Greece :>

This is a female of Cylindera (Cylindera) trisignata trisignata (Dejean, 1822) and the 8th part of the saga (for earlier please see: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7). It has only some 8mm.

And the question for today is:

Why tiger beetles are "children of the sun"?

And the aswer is really very simply - these beetles love high temperature and open areas with sunny exposition. And that is true is case of many European species, which - almost all - are diurnal. They do not like cloudy days because the temperature is not enough high to keep them active.
On the other hand one European species Cephalota (Taenidia) litorea goudoti can stay active not only during cloudy days but also during evening hours, and one additional - Grammognatha euphratica and some African and North American species (e.g. members of genera Mantica, Manticora, Omus and Amblycheila are typical nocturnal predators.


So what diurnal Cicindelidae species do during the night?

Well, they "are sleeping" of course :>
These species try to hide under the stones, they are burrowing tunels in the sandy ground, or - like in some South American members of Odontocheila they roosting at night on leaves of an undergrowth bush. In the last case they are waiting until the "sun will come" in aggregations! This kind of behaviour is rather very unusual among predatory terestrial insects :>


Well, what to add at the end? Maybe only: this is not the last part of the saga my Friends! :>
And of course - thank you in advance for your comments! :>
red45, gracious, ramthakur, cloud, boreocypriensis, PaulH, haraprasan, Argus, Kaszek, oscarromulus, anel, uleko, lousat, marhowie, Alex99, liziafa, LordPotty, cataclysta, saguzar, avallaunius has marked this note useful
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Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To uleko: formula for tiger beetle pictures :)cicindela 3 08-22 13:13
To Kaszek: kwestia opatrzenia :)cicindela 2 08-21 12:46
To anel: photo hunting :>cicindela 1 08-21 12:23
To Kaszek: szyszczred45 1 08-21 12:07
To red45: trzyszcze :)cicindela 3 08-20 14:40
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2008-08-20 13:38]
  • [+]

Czesc Radek!

Za to wlasnie lubie TN! Do momentu kiedy zaczales wysylac trzyszcze mialem jakies mgliste pojecie, ze cos takiego istnieje. Teraz natomiast stalem sie ich wielkim fanem i poswiecilem tego lata wiele godzin na obserwacje i fotografowanie tych sympatycznych [hehe] zwierzakow. Zdjecie bardzo udane - chrzaszcz zlapany w typowej pozie, swietna ostrosc i szczegoly. Jak zawsze ciekawa notka.

Hello Radomir,
Excellent composition of super fine macro!
the sharpness is amazing with wonderful details and natural colour on the subject
very well done
thanks for the sharing
Tony

This is the kind of picture that clearly pronounces itself as the work of a bug expert, Radomir.
The image is so natural, sharp and precise there is no scope for nit-picking.
The subtle colours of the intricate design on the back of the insect are well recorded.
Thanks and regards.

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 71 N: 758] (4689)
  • [2008-08-20 23:23]

Witaj Radku,
Twoje okazy sa oryginalne i ten jest ciekawy i doskonale pokazany.
Pozdrawiam, Pawel

Hi Radek,
A perfect macro shot showing your love to cicindelids:)with your excelent notes as usual.
Greetings from TRNC,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 23 N: 3656] (13083)
  • [2008-08-21 4:55]

Awesome shot Radomir, exceptional detail and clairity, but the shadow behind really adds something extra. Very well done, note is great too.
Paul

Hi Radek,
A nice capture of this beautiful tiger beetle. Very well composed with sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2008-08-21 10:00]

Hello Radomir,
An amazing macro of this small Cicindelid, C. trisignata. It is not just the sharpness and DOF that has made this excellent, but the wide legged pose and low POV on a well-chosen suface.
A superb capture of a species new to me. Thanks for sharing it.
Best regards, Ivan

Czesc Radek,
Trzyszcz. Ciekawe czy ktos z tutejszych (nie liczac Polakow) jest w stanie to powiedziec ;)
A ja chyba jeszcze zadnego nie widzialem... Wstyd :)
Tym wiecej cenie ich zdjecia.
Fotka bardzo udana, zwierz bardzo ostry i przede wszystkim ciekawy.
Pozdrawiam
Kaszek

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1723 W: 0 N: 3903] (15686)
  • [2008-08-21 12:12]
  • [+]

Hello Radomir,
With Dieter and Markus we once were trying to make some picture of Cicindelas and I tell you , you should have seen us run around!
And your specimen is even smaller! With your picture with the shining carapace the beetle looks like a prince!
I also would thank you for your critique on my moth. Finally I found the ID after hours of search. It is a Geometridae moth.
Best regards
Anne

Radomir,
Great notes.
Lovely series.
Full of DETAILS.
Very well presented.
Congratulations,
Mario with friendly greetings from Canada.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 162 N: 949] (2787)
  • [2008-08-22 10:06]
  • [+]

Hello Radomir,
I don't know how you manage to get these brilliant macros from such a low POV!? This side view is really excellent with all parts in focus and sharp details. Beautiful light and metallic colours too! Well done!
Many thanks and kind regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2008-08-22 11:56]

Hi Rado,i'm surprising from the incredible quality of this pic!! The light,the details and the colors are impressives.And this little insect i know how isn't easy to take! My best complimensts,this is a pic of 1st class,thanks a lot to show us this beauty,have a nice weekend,Luciano

Very good detail/DOF Radomir, great use of flash.
Good POV and well composed also..
Well done & have a nice weekend,
Howard

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3584 W: 143 N: 5669] (18531)
  • [2008-08-22 22:47]

Hi Radomir.
Many thanks for visit and kind comments. I am always glad to hear you and see your amazing shots. This one is not exception. As usual fantastic details and sharpness, amazing flash work and very impressive POV and framing. Bravo. Perfectly done. My warm greetings.
Alexei.

Hello Radomir,

Excellent picture of this tiger beetle. Excellent POV, DOF and sharpness. Light is good handled. Very good natural colours. That is like a small jewel.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 519 W: 68 N: 1693] (5360)
  • [2008-08-24 23:54]

Hi Radomir, again,

you live up to your "Cicindela" reputation very well! This Tiger beetle looks remarkably different to the species we have in Switzerland. But the allure of an efficient "hunting machine" is still there, and well presented. Thanks for the note as well.
Best regards
Dietrich

Witaj,
Kolejne znakomite zdjęcie!
Bardzo dobre technicznie i doskonały tytuł.
Podobają mi się wzorki na pancerzyku. Wygląda jak pomalowany na specjalną okazję ;).
Wszystko na TAK!!!
Pozdrawiam Małgosia

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer [C: 211 W: 0 N: 755] (3323)
  • [2008-08-25 10:11]

Hola Radomir, excelente macro, con muy buena definición y detalle.
Un saludo

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2008-08-26 4:01]

Hi Radomir,
Outstanding shot of this great looking Tiger Beetle with awesome sharpness and details. Superb lighting and I like the patterns on its back. The big eyes look scary. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Thanks for sharing this image.
Sumon

Hey,this is great Radomir!
What a fantastically sharp shot of this Tiger Beetle.
Details and colour are just superb.
Great work!
Cheers
Steve

Czesc Radziu
Ladny trzyszcz. Fotka na blocie ale ladnie wyglada ;-) Swietna glebia ostrosci (a obiekt malutki) i oczywiscie fajna notka
Pozdrawaim
Krzysiek

Czesc Radek,
What an odd creature!!! it has a rare life form, I´ve never seen before, I think. Good image with excellent sharpness. I like illumination and interesting note also
Best regards
Hernán

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2008-08-31 0:45]

Oh Radomir, this looks so sharp and clear. For such a small insect you have captured it quite perfectly.
I love his exquisite and colourful patterns on his back. And the focus is spot on - very good sharpness too
TFS
Janice

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