Water Scorpion portrait

[Steve Maxson]

This Water Scorpion (Family Nepidae) was photographed in my 2-gallon aquarium setup last summer. These are slow moving predators and the photo gives a good look at the somewhat flexible 3-segmented beak. It also illustrates how their exoskeletons become homes for a variety of algae and protozoans. 40D, MP-E 65 mm, 1/250, f/16, ISO 100, MT-24EX macro twin flash (diffused), tripod, cable release. I cleaned up some bits of floating debris in the water. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

[Nick Palmieri]

This is really interesting. I think you added interest by the crop you select. I am sort of wishing the other eye were in focus but realize the difficulty in making that happen. The sharp eye does pull you into it rather nicely. TFS

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Steve,
Another interesting look in to the alien world that you have taken us into! I think the comp works well but I do think the depth of the creature? on this one just isn't coming through like it did on some of the others and I think it is just because of the subject.......although not sure as I have never seen one of these before:bg3:! As usual.....lighting handled really well!

[bhavya joshi]

nice alien pose steve.. Nice eye contact and details also.. well captured..:c3:

[Mitch Haimov]

Another strong--and alien--image, Steve. The "hitchhikers" add interest. The slightly OOF rear eye doesn't bother me. That said, I do not find this image quite as compelling as some of your other aquatic invertebrate images (although I would be pleased to make such an image myself).

[Chris Ober]

This is pretty cool.. I don't think I've ever seen one before. Nice portrait. Are those eggs behind the front eye?

[Brendan Dozier]

The eye on this guy is amazing, Steve. Love the detail. Nice image & composition, but both Roman & Mitch have points about it not being as good as some of your other aquarium critter images. I think another reason might be that it doesn't seem to have that glowing light that you have with some of the others.

[Steve Maxson]

This is pretty cool.. I don't think I've ever seen one before. Nice portrait. Are those eggs behind the front eye?

Thanks for the feedback folks.

Chris - What you are seeing in back of the eye are colonies of protozoans that are attached to the water scorpion's exoskeleton. :S3:

[Jerry van Dijk]

Nicely done, Steve, great details and nice composition with the leading lines given by the front legs.