Peru: Tambopata Reserve part IV

[pbertner]

Amblypygid displaying parental care:



Katydid:



This aposematic hawkmoth caterpillar (Sphingidae) uses its long tail to discourage parasitoid wasps and flies, which would otherwise lay there eggs on it:



Butterfly:



Mosquito B+W:



Basket cocoon of a Urodid moth:



A Uloborid spider with coloured web- the patterns possibly the result of thin-film interference, the same phenomena responsible for the iridescent colours visible within soap bubbles or oil slicks:



Jumping spider with fly prey:



Bark mantis with prey:



Hirtella racemose, an understory rainforest shrub:



EE legend found here: https://pbertner.wordpress.com/19-rules-to-follow/

Thanks for looking and commenting,
Paul

[Lou Jost]

What beautiful things. The amblypygid with kids is especially amazing. I had never seen that before, though I knew scorpions did it. Your framing and composition on that picture is really good.

[pbertner]

Thanks Lou.

I'd never seen it before until this last trip to South America, and then I've seen it on 4 different occasions. Amblypygi, Uropygi, Scorpions, they all do it.

[Beatsy]

Wonderful images. I like the darker background and shadow tones you use; it somehow makes you feel you're "down there in the undergrowth" with the specimens. The basket cocoon is very interesting, probably my favourite, though it's tough to choose from such a lovely set!

[nanometer]

Wow--these are spectacular. You have an excellent understanding of lighting, composition, and colors!

[pbertner]

Thanks nanometer and beatsy.

Indeed that's the idea, working with the available light and to try to convey a feeling, as much as depicting the subject. The rainforest understory is a dark place, there's no debating that, but you might not think so with all the bright, punchy photos you see online. I'm a fan of the moodier, sombre tones that I see and experience, and then interspersing them with the bright joyful splashes of colour. In this manner it more accurately reflects my personal relationship with the rainforest.

[Beatsy]

Thanks nanometer and beatsy.

...In this manner it more accurately reflects my personal relationship with the rainforest.

Mission accomplished!

[micro_pix]

A beautiful set, I love the first one.

[zzffnn]

Stunning photos! Thank you for sharing!!

[MarkSturtevant]

Excellent!

[zzffnn]

Paul,

When you used flash for those beautiful images, what F stop did/do you usually start with? F/16 or F/22? Thank you.

I am here to learn; I know with APS-C Canons you can go higher than micro 4/3, before diffraction becomes significant. Some people go a little higher, while some go a little lower.

[microman]

Very intersting photos. A whole different world. The first one with the baby spiders is my favorite !

[pbertner]

thanks for the kind comments all.

zzffnn - Hard to generalize. I start open and then close. It has more to do with available light in the rainforest understory than any attempt at end-to-end sharpness. I rarely go above f/11 with the 100mm or mpe. In bright light or with motionless subjects I'll stop down, but those are about the only instances. I shoot by my personal motto, if I want a shot like everyone else, then I'll shoot like everyone else. Otherwise I'll shoot in order to create something different, even if only slightly.

[razashaikh]

Great set of pictures there. Keep up the great work.

[ChrisR]

Keep it up, indeed. The Uloborid spider's coloured web looks like something from a fantasy land.