Golden Head

Posted in Life, Locust, Love, Macro Photography, Meditation, Nature, Photography, Relaxation, Spirituality, Truth? by Mark on 09/10/2015

The big bods are arriving to the garden now, about 5” long this one, and there is plenty to eat this year so no need to evict them to the neighbours, yet. :-)

A Locust I believe, perched on the veranda, cautious but unafraid. She backed up from the lens so I manoeuvred her and eventually got some nice background in the frame – employing behaviour that appears undesirable to the inexperienced.

But no need to push it. At the angle she was and with what I had with me at the time there were only a few shots available. The upper body/thorax and head portrait is most expressive, for a Locust, and I thought the foot especially interesting.

Armoured, both for gripping and striking. Those sprung legs are strong enough to propel the heavy beast into the air, and those spurs are capable of penetrating and damaging the strongest of attackers.

It’s wild out there …

Tagged with: Human Nature, Insects, Life, Love, Macro, Meditation, Nature, Spirituality, Sustainability

14 comments

14 Responses

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Lissa said, on 10/10/2015 at 8:07 am

Wow! The detail when enlarged is just incredible. No doubt she’s a very beautiful girl to any male hopper that sees her. Perfect.

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- Mark said, on 10/10/2015 at 8:37 am
  
  No doubt Lissa. Perfect as she is.
  
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BeeHappee said, on 10/10/2015 at 12:50 am

Great pictures. That foot and the joints remind me of chicken legs and feet.

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- Mark said, on 10/10/2015 at 1:03 am
  
  Thanks Kristina. Yes, tough and dangerous to anything of a similar weight.
  
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David said, on 09/10/2015 at 11:31 pm

Very interesting.

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- Mark said, on 09/10/2015 at 11:53 pm
  
  :-)
  
  Reply
Alice O'Leary said, on 09/10/2015 at 12:26 pm

Wonderful pictures. I always enjoy your photos. I’m traveling to Australia in November and look forward to bringing home some interesting photos.

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- Mark said, on 09/10/2015 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thanks Alice. I remember you from way back. It’s expected to be a hot summer here, amplified with El Nino settling in. If you are coming to Brisbane you are welcome to get in touch.
  
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Lea Tran said, on 09/10/2015 at 10:24 am

Wow. That’s quite the suit of armor. Thanks for sharing!

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- Mark said, on 09/10/2015 at 1:53 pm
  
  Thanks Lea, the insect world is full of the weird and wonderful.
  
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  - Jan Schaper said, on 09/10/2015 at 10:16 pm
    
    Weird and wonderful indeed. I agree with Lea -thanks for sharing the detail rich images.
    
    Reply
    - Mark said, on 09/10/2015 at 11:53 pm
      
      Thanks Jan.
      
      Reply
Victor Rakmil said, on 09/10/2015 at 8:07 am

Awesome.

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- Mark said, on 09/10/2015 at 8:15 am
  
  Cheers Victor …
  
  Reply