Nectar of The Gods
Amrit, ambrosial immortalising food of the gods, fit for an ant – for if there is a god it is surely in all things, without exception, or the creation is flawed. Notice any holes in the fabric of your universe lately? Well, let’s not go into that too much …
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It was Garuda, bird – king, who stole the Ambrosia of the gods in order to release himself and his mother from enslavement to the snakes – or snake energy. He had to perform impossible feats in order to do so. And so impressed with his character was Vishnu that he made Garuda free forever.
It’s an interesting myth from Indian lore. And like all myth it has truth behind it. He had to take it.
Have you performed impossible feats lately?
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A site that is good for some creatures can be enhanced for macro shooting by the addition of a source of food, as with the honey for the ant here. Nothing wrong with enhancing the scene if everyone concerned benefits.
A little nectar goes a long way.
© Mark Berkery … CLICK any picture to enlarge in a new tab …
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Nature's Place 
I see I’m not the only one who likes the natural beauty of insects and their habits as well as habitats. Lovin’ this entry and photos. And yes, DE (diatomaceous earth) when put down dry will assist with most crawling bug ‘problems’ indoors or out.
Faith (I’m not a writer. I’m a reader.)
Hi Faith …
I get very upset with ants in my garden. They are on my peonies at the moment and farming aphids on the viburnum. You are feeding them honey. Mine get soap and water. Life is unfair for them. Amelia
Life is what it is, apparently unfair there, apparently a feast here. If the same ants started to destroy a plant I attend I would prevent them, one way or another. You can get ladybugs to eat the aphids, then ants have little reason to go there. A little diatomaceous earth sprinkled in the dry around the stems should keep ants off other plants – doesn’t deal with the queen who continues to send out foragers.
Stunning. Simply gorgeous and mind boggling. Thank you! Hard pressed to pick my favourite for my desktop.
Lissa
Thanks Lissa …
great impressive photos – wonderfull
Thanks Karl … wonderful nature.
Beautiful ant
Indeed it is …
As usual another super series, one after the other magnificent pictures, use of light, nice compositions, marvellous colours from those tiny creatures of creation! Superb!
Thanks Jacques, I have excellent material to work with – never tire of the macro view.
The macro details are superb…. on a metaphorical ambrosial level, had honey on my porridge for breakfast, feel fit to fly off over the mountains and battle the tasks of the day :)
Climb the mystical mountain, battle the forces of evil, rescue yourself and mum from the karmic cycle – all before lunch … Then do it again next day, that’s living. :-)
Yes! Accept the gauntlet :)
there is something about the clarity of your photos
the details and amazing design and beauty of the creatures
that rocks my heart in a very tangible way
such an amazing world
That is probably the intimacy of the scene/s that are so unusual, even today, that reminds of the real nature – the sense of it. You obviously have a love of nature …
Apart from the outstanding detail you’ve achieved here, Mark, I can’t help but notice what appears to be a small mite suspended in the honey between the main drop and the smaller drop in the ant’s mandibles. Is this what a few of my fellows and I have come to call a “bonus bug” (that is, one that the photographer doesn’t recognize until the image is in the after-capture development phase)?
Ha, if it was a mite it would be that – a bonus bug. But that is the ants eating gear, which I believe allows fluid to ascend by capillary action.
Yes, that makes very good sense, and I sit corrected–and the wiser for your explanation, thanks very much.
Stunning photos – the colours are magical.
Thanks Lyle … They are magical creatures, going quietly about their lives.
impressive !
Thanks …
Nice shots!
Thanks P …
Intriguing photos- it appears that the ant is depositing the golden fluid, rather than eating it. Is this something like honey digested and then deposited in the hive by a bee? Great use of light- in all applications of that phrase. May all be well with you, Mark, WG
Thanks WG. That’s a drop of honey left out near the nest entrance. Best … M
Ah- so you draw them and keep them entertained with the honey while you photograph them? Beautiful, Mark. WG
Yes, feeding is the only way to stop them on cue without resorting to more deadly means.
A much kinder way ;-)
Indeed … :-)
That sent a chill down my spine Mark! Or is it up?
Ha, inside is up or down – with nothing to orient against …
Incredible images ~ well done and thank you for sharing.
Thanks SS …