‹ Previous Weekly Challenge Gallery Next ›

NPWC#485 Crab stretch

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted May 30, 2011136 views7 comments

Nikon D200 – Nikon VR 80-400 @ 400, f/5.7 – hand-held
No background post-processing: this was a very tiny crab (half inch) at quite some distance. There were thousands of them, all running around, then stopping, bouncing a couple of times on their legs, and stretching in the air like this one.
There must be a purpose to their behavior, but the overall effect was that of some happy and disorderly morning calisthenics.
Thanks for watching!

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on May 30, 2011 at 10:58 PM

The low perspective really puts the viewer right in the middle of the action. Interesting to view and enjoy. Thanks for posting it.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on May 31, 2011 at 8:34 AM

Esme'

Nice job of focusing with the telephoto on the little critter. The claws in the air is a common defensive posture among intertidal crabs.Also in such large groups it may be a territorial challenge as well. Interesting image .

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on May 31, 2011 at 10:52 AM

This is awesome. I love the little crab and the overall effect of the image.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by RL Potts on May 31, 2011 at 12:35 PM

The shallow depth of field really makes this one stand out. The circular substrate is interesting as well. Nice shot.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments

Comment posted by Esme' Fantozzi on May 31, 2011 at 12:56 PM

Robert, the "circular substrate" is just tiny balls of sand that I see close to crabs holes around here. In this case the crabs were very tiny and by the tousand, as a result the sand was covered solid with the micro-sand-balls. I am not sure which end of the crabs produces them, but they are definitely "crab-made".

Registered on July 27, 2006, 50 Posts, 300 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on June 1, 2011 at 1:24 PM

Great capture of a tiny critter, Esme'! I like the low POV you have on this and the DOF you chose. You have gread focus on the crab and I love his stance. It's good you had a long lens and didn't have to get too close to this brave little guy!

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on June 1, 2011 at 11:08 PM

This is an excellent capture and a nice choice for the theme, Esme'. Not having a clear reference for scale just makes it more interesting for me. Very nicely shot!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments