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Robber Fly


Robber Fly
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Galea (magal) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 224 W: 0 N: 313] (1251)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-30
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Raynox DCR-150
Exposure: f/11, 1/125 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) of Europe, Dipterans (except Hover flies) of Europe-2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-26 13:39
Viewed: 5711
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hello friends,
It has been such a long time since my last upload, I completely forgot the requirements and max. dimensions for downsizing photos to TN!!!! A job change left me stuck out in the Libyan desert for twelve weeks and photography was completely out of reach.
I chose to recommence postings with a shot I took in the beginning of last Summer - high season for these Robber flies, of the family Asilidae, which contains about 7,100 described species worldwide. All robber flies [also known as assassin flies]have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The mystax helps protect the head and face when the fly encounters prey bent on defense. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista. The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides; the fly then sucks the liquefied meal through the proboscis. Many species have long, tapering abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumble bee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, dragon and damselflies, ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.
I chose this unusual frontal view mostly because I wanted a different compositional approach.
The shot was taken with the camera supported on a monopod, focus was in manual and fill in flash to compensate for the narrow aperture rendered necessary by the use of the Raynox
Thanks for watching
Mark
spalaxtr, Oz1, cicindela, taba has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Gran originalidad y composición Mark. Excelente enfoque y correcta profundidad. Naturalidad en los colores y más que correcto fondo. Preciosa !!

Un saludo: J. Ignasi

Ciao Mark.
Interessante inquadratura, buona illuminazione, forse la messa a fuoco poteva essere migliore.

Marcello

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 344 W: 51 N: 520] (2242)
  • [2007-10-26 16:09]

Hello Mark,
Interesting and original shot, nise composition and POV
Regards, Dejan

Hi Mark,
Great close-up. TFS. Mustafa

Mooie compositie en goede dof. scherpte ligt mooi op de facet ogen.

  • Great 
  • Oz1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 75 W: 2 N: 174] (1012)
  • [2007-10-28 0:14]

Hi Mark,
Beautifull macro shot. fine details and colors.great pose!
TFS!
Oz

Hello Mark,
Interesting, very sharp and detailed close-up of the robber fly. I like the way you presented it - relaxing on the top of some plant species.
Bravo also for informative note.
Best withes from Poland,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • taba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 466 W: 124 N: 312] (1847)
  • [2008-01-14 9:28]

Hi Mark
very nice POV and capture.
I like the increadibly posicion you got from this POV. good sharpness. and colors, the BG is awesome and improves the image..
well done.
TFS
Taba

  • Great 
  • gothy Silver Star Critiquer [C: 14 W: 0 N: 2] (254)
  • [2008-04-04 15:47]

Hello Mark
very nice close up
good details and colors
bruno

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