Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Cicada Killer with Catch

  1. #1
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    2,269
    Threads
    186
    Thank You Posts

    Default Cicada Killer with Catch

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Shot this guy in a local park. Roman and I were looking for dragonflies or butterflies but came across these guys. They were very strong and powerful little buggers but for some reason were using this kill more as a perch than breakfast..maybe they were full...7D, 180mm macro lens, twin-lite flashes at -2/3, ISO 640, SS 1/320, f/16. I cloned some green grass out of the BG.

  2. #2
    Julie Kenward
    Guest

    Default

    Super image, Nick! I really like the angle/placement of the insects in the frame. I especially like that you got that one eye on the cicada included. I can't see much that I'd change about this one - perhaps clone out the tiny darker area at the point just past the cicada's front knee on the ground. Lovely detail from end to end on the two insects!

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Polokwane South Africa
    Posts
    274
    Threads
    22
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great shot Nick... detail, comp, angle, exposure and dof is all spot on... all around stunning capture!!!!

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Romania
    Posts
    637
    Threads
    164
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent capture, with very nice details and colors!

  5. #5
    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    ENGLAND LANCASHIRE
    Posts
    5,106
    Threads
    360
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    nice image nick,good detail in the insects,I presume the one on top,is some sort of wasp,nice comp.thanks.

  6. #6
    Roman Kurywczak
    Guest

    Default

    Hey Nick,
    Of course I still haven't worked on one.....so nice to see that the work paid off and we were very lucky to find this on a day that the light was perfect! This works for me all around and nice use of the flash to fill in the darker areas!

  7. #7
    Susan Candelario
    Guest

    Default

    Excellent capture, Nick! I like the position of the killer and it's prey. Great details and use of fill flash. The killer looking at you puts this over the top for me. Good cleanup too, I might just tone down a bit the small bright area above the killers wing, but that is just me being picky and it's a very minor detail, considering the strength of the image. Overall it's Awesome! Good for you
    ~S~

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer Carel v/d Sanden's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Netherlands
    Posts
    142
    Threads
    44
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Nick
    I love this picture.
    beautiful sharpness, composition and BG.
    2 beautiful species caught in one shot.
    very nicely done.

  9. #9
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Nick. We don't have these huge wasps up here, but I have seen them in Indiana - very impressive critters! Your image is impressive too - nice light, great DOF, excellent pose by the wasp, nice low shooting angle, and a good background. Very well done.

    A little biology for folks who aren't familiar with this species - The females dig a burrow in the soil and then go hunting for a cicada which they paralyze by stinging it. Then the wasp flies/carries/drags the cicada into the burrow where it also lays an egg. The burrow is sealed and the wasp starts the process all over again. When the egg hatches it has a ready (still living) food supply.

  10. #10
    BPN Member jack williamson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    south mississippi
    Posts
    1,979
    Threads
    107
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent exposure and comp Nick. Such good dof I can study both insects. Excellent flash use. That wasp appears to be giving you a warning look, that thing is huge! I held a cicada in my hand this morning and they are pretty large bugs. Great image!

    Jack

  11. #11
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    1,361
    Threads
    131
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nick, that's a wicked capture...and that must be one huge wasp! I wouldn't change a thing.

  12. #12
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    6,829
    Threads
    569
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Nick, Good comments above with not much to add except well done in getting such an unusual shot at a great angle ,good light and sharp. Nice job!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics