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Nice pics, as always, Takeda! Take a pair of forceps/tweezers and feed him a fly or bug. It's interesting to watch them eat.

 

Very interesting pics! Thanks! I see a little sensor dirt there? Great job!

 

Nice pics, as always.

How big is that guy in real life? I've seen them around the house anywhere from 1/4 inch to about 3 inch body length. They are cool bugs to watch.

 

wow.....

as always....kewl pics

 

Those are such strange creatures. Great pics!

 

Thank you all! Yes, there are a few sensor dust bunnies showing up at f/20. Here are a few more with better lighting:



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He caught a bug on his own:


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I guess the dark spots in the compound eyes are just reflections, but they sure look like pupils at times, don't they? I bet it's a "she", not a "he".

- Jack

 

The dark spots move, but I don't know what that means with compound eyes.

 

I surely don't either, but they cover more than just one eye facet. I've noticed them at other times in praying mantis eyes.

Edit: Well, here we are - it's a pseudopupil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudopupil
- Jack

 

Good information Jack! Thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks Takeda. Interesting pics with the bug. Your pics made me curious about the praying mantis so I googled them. What a coincidence to find this video. It is hard to believe that this could actually be true.

 

Okay, earlier this week there was a story about a shark getting eaten by a crocodile and now a praying mantis eating a bird? I've seen it all now.

 

Isn't that the truth. I saw those aligator/shark pics too. Crazy!