<< Previous Next >>

Robber Fly


Robber Fly
Photo Information
Copyright: Bud Hensley (BudOhio) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 35] (146)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-03
Categories: Insects
Camera: Pentax K20D, Vivitar 105mm f/2.5 Series 1 Macro
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/320 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-10-27 8:43
Viewed: 3400
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Robber Fly, Holcocephala sp. - Holcocephala calva

This is one of my favorite summer-time insects.
Average length is around 1cm ... they're very small.... and they prey on gnats and other tiny flying insects. The individual pictured here is perched on the seedpod of a rue plant and from this perch it will "hawk" gnats. It sits motionless until it spots potential prey then darts out from its perch, grabs the gnat in mid-air and returns to the perch where it, literally, sucks the guts out of its prey. I have observed this behavior on many occasions and they are deadly accurate.

One particular characteristic of this species of robber fly that makes it a great macro subject are its compound eyes. When the camera focus is accurate, its eyes are quite fascinating.

They are found here from late June until the weather starts to cool in September, and play an important role as predators, controlling the gnat population in our yard.

This hand-held shot was taken with a Vivitar 105/2.5 Series 1 Macro (manual focus) lens and an external flash for fill light.
Pentaxfriend, avallaunius, Miss_Piggy 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
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Miss_Piggy: Thank you!BudOhio 1 10-31 20:59
To Pearl: Robber FlyBudOhio 1 10-27 19:13
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Pearl Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 25 N: 76] (321)
  • [2008-10-27 9:12]
  • [+]

Hello Bud,
This is an excellent macro shot. Superb focus on the eyes of the fly. Nice BG and POV. I'd prefer to capture the entire body of the fly but focus on the eyes. On the whole it's a lovely picture. TFS.

Pearl.

Hi Bud,

Excellent composition with lovely colors and EXTREME sharp details

TFS Thijs

Hi Bud
This is a very cool shot indeed! Just love the eyes on this fly. Great focus and detail and well controlled flash. Excellent POV.
Kind Regards
Vinny

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2008-10-27 19:20]

Great macro Bud,
Love the superb detail you captured. Those eyes are amazing!!
Perfect exposure and DOF. TFS.
Ron

hi Bud,
Great macro shot! Composition is great and the colours are so crisp!

Hallo Bud
A super shot. Worth all the praises it has received and still going to receive. Clarity, detail and focus is excellent.I cannot find fault and give you a round of applause and a smiley of course for excellent camera work.
Thanks for sharing this fine contribution.
Regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2008-10-29 13:09]

Hi Bud
Gorgeous!! Excellent; composition, detail,colours,sharpnes, and background too.
Regards Jiri.

Hello Bud,
This is a perfect captured too.Colors
and details are wonderful.F/9 and wide area details? so good.Thanks for sharing.
Tariuq

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF