by Howard Cheek
I spotted this small sized mantid male (Stagmomantis carolina) as I walked toward our front door Monday morning. It was in the shade of the house, perched on this flower in our flower bed, so I used fill flash. The male and female Carolina mantis look very different from one another. The adult female has short wings and is big and heavy. The male has long wings and is small, light and active. The male is able to fly and will do so readily, but the female is unable to fly.
I thought of Mark Seaver & Balan Vinods excellent mantid posts in the making of this film
F/13, 1/100th, ISO 640, 5DMS, Sigma 150mm f/2.8 & fill.
Comments
8 commentsNever seen one howard but they look alien like to me. Well spotted and nice of the mantid to stay there while you fetched your camera. As usual great use of fill in flash, the pose, composition, dof and sharpness all being excellent. That background colour works very well. Graham
Excelllent bg. I've just recently became aquainted with these insects. They are amazing. I love their bizzare looks and this one has real nice markings. Great capture.
A fine look at this mantis, Howard. I really like the mottled grey colors and how the blend with the background but stand out well from the flowers. The details in the larger version are terrific. It seems like this fall is prime mantid time.
Very nice Howard. The diagonal composition suits the seen quite well and the flowers provide enough color to lead the eye up to the mantis. I really like that you have the hindleg within the scene with enough room to spare. The antennae pulled back gives the mantis the appearance of being in motion.
........................Jim
Excellent, Howard. Terrific comp showing the mantis on the flower against the nice bg. No nits.
I really like the pose and the color of the bg. The details are excellent and the flower is a nice perch.
Hey Howard,
I've been feeding the mosquitos out back trying to get a few Mantis shots this past week and the great head turn you managed in this image seems to be quite normal as I lean in to focus the macro lens. They are not at all intimidated but seem rather curious by my presence and allow me the click away. This image has all the aspects one would hope for in a top notch composition and your use of fill flash is masterful.
Well done . . .
Howard, lovely mantis. Nice composition and beautiful perch. No nits or suggestions.