Macro Exotic praying mantis in the wild

Exotic praying mantis "in the wild" · 10:39 PM

Got my camera back today

One of the shots from a quick outing

PentX Girl · 03-20-2010, 06:29 PM

Oh wow...cool shot

goddo31 · 03-21-2010, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by yeatzee

Thank you! I am ever struggling with the speed light and exposure. How is this one?

The exposure looks spot on to me; not too harsh from the flash. Better than I could do in this situation

yeatzee · 03-21-2010, 07:45 PM

Here's another....

Blue · 03-21-2010, 08:30 PM

Is that one of the unicorn species?

yeatzee · 03-21-2010, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Is that one of the unicorn species?

No, the only species I know of that are commonly called "unicorn mantis" are Phyllovates sp. or pseudovates sp.

That mantids species name is Sibylla Pretiosa... a fairly rare species in culture actually. I hardly ever take pictures of them because they are so fricken fast. I look through the viewfinder, get the focus perfect and right when Im about to click the shutter the little guy disappears. So far I've found him every time, but im not sure my luck will last

Blue · 03-21-2010, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by yeatzee

No, the only species I know of that are commonly called "unicorn mantis" are Phyllovates sp. or pseudovates sp.

That mantids species name is Sibylla Pretiosa... a fairly rare species in culture actually. I hardly ever take pictures of them because they are so fricken fast. I look through the viewfinder, get the focus perfect and right when Im about to click the shutter the little guy disappears. So far I've found him every time, but im not sure my luck will last

I can relate to that speed thing. I go through this with insects and other critters all the time. I was trying to shoot a series of a mouse this evening. I got 3 decent images and a 4th that she stepped right out of the field of focus like a lightening bolt. I found her nest in one of my shop drawers and watched her move her babies to a new location. I was set up with my 105mm and used AF and she was just too quick.

I'm going to get some "live traps" tomorrow and relocate them.

yeatzee · 03-21-2010, 09:57 PM

Its quite frustrating

Any constructive criticism guys?

yeatzee · 03-24-2010, 05:51 PM

and another

yeatzee · 03-25-2010, 11:02 PM

A slightly different type of shot:

JohnV · 03-26-2010, 12:56 PM

"Smile for the camera, you bulging eyed, crawler!"

Nice capture!

yeatzee · 03-26-2010, 09:37 PM

thanks! I wish I could somehow communicate my cursing to them so they know to stop moving.

It wears me down pretty quickly sitting there lining up the shot only to have the little guys move into a different area where I must start the process over again.

CRITIQUES WELCOME!

yeatzee
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03-20-2010, 06:29 PM	#16
PentX Girl Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,700	Oh wow...cool shot

03-21-2010, 06:56 AM	#17
goddo31 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,576	Originally posted by yeatzee Thank you! I am ever struggling with the speed light and exposure. How is this one? The exposure looks spot on to me; not too harsh from the flash. Better than I could do in this situation

03-21-2010, 07:45 PM	#18
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Here's another....

03-21-2010, 08:30 PM	#19
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Is that one of the unicorn species?

03-21-2010, 08:57 PM	#20
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by Blue Is that one of the unicorn species? No, the only species I know of that are commonly called "unicorn mantis" are Phyllovates sp. or pseudovates sp. That mantids species name is Sibylla Pretiosa... a fairly rare species in culture actually. I hardly ever take pictures of them because they are so fricken fast. I look through the viewfinder, get the focus perfect and right when Im about to click the shutter the little guy disappears. So far I've found him every time, but im not sure my luck will last

03-21-2010, 09:40 PM	#21
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by yeatzee No, the only species I know of that are commonly called "unicorn mantis" are Phyllovates sp. or pseudovates sp. That mantids species name is Sibylla Pretiosa... a fairly rare species in culture actually. I hardly ever take pictures of them because they are so fricken fast. I look through the viewfinder, get the focus perfect and right when Im about to click the shutter the little guy disappears. So far I've found him every time, but im not sure my luck will last I can relate to that speed thing. I go through this with insects and other critters all the time. I was trying to shoot a series of a mouse this evening. I got 3 decent images and a 4th that she stepped right out of the field of focus like a lightening bolt. I found her nest in one of my shop drawers and watched her move her babies to a new location. I was set up with my 105mm and used AF and she was just too quick. I'm going to get some "live traps" tomorrow and relocate them.

03-21-2010, 09:57 PM	#22
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Its quite frustrating Any constructive criticism guys?

03-24-2010, 05:51 PM	#23
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	and another

03-25-2010, 11:02 PM	#24
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	A slightly different type of shot:

03-26-2010, 12:56 PM	#25
JohnV New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 11	"Smile for the camera, you bulging eyed, crawler!" Nice capture!

03-26-2010, 09:37 PM	#26
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	thanks! I wish I could somehow communicate my cursing to them so they know to stop moving. It wears me down pretty quickly sitting there lining up the shot only to have the little guys move into a different area where I must start the process over again. CRITIQUES WELCOME!