Peru: Tambopata Reserve part IV

Images of undisturbed subjects in their natural environment. All subject types.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

pbertner
Posts: 999
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:07 am
Location: Canada
Contact:

Peru: Tambopata Reserve part IV

Post by pbertner »

Amblypygid displaying parental care:

Image

Katydid:

Image

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

Image

Butterfly:

Image

Mosquito B+W:

Image

Basket cocoon of a Urodid moth:

Image

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:

Image

Jumping spider with fly prey:

Image

Bark mantis with prey:

Image

Hirtella racemose, an understory rainforest shrub:

Image

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

Thanks for looking and commenting,
Paul

Lou Jost
Posts: 5933
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2015 7:03 am
Location: Ecuador
Contact:

Post by 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
Posts: 999
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:07 am
Location: Canada
Contact:

Post by 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
Posts: 2102
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:10 am
Location: Malvern, UK

Post by 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
Posts: 324
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:14 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Post by nanometer »

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

pbertner
Posts: 999
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:07 am
Location: Canada
Contact:

Post by 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
Posts: 2102
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:10 am
Location: Malvern, UK

Post by Beatsy »

pbertner wrote:Thanks nanometer and beatsy.

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

micro_pix
Posts: 469
Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 12:05 pm
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK

Post by micro_pix »

A beautiful set, I love the first one.

zzffnn
Posts: 1896
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact:

Post by zzffnn »

Stunning photos! Thank you for sharing!!
Last edited by zzffnn on Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

MarkSturtevant
Posts: 1942
Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: Michigan, U.S.A.
Contact:

Post by MarkSturtevant »

Excellent!
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters

zzffnn
Posts: 1896
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact:

Post by 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.
Last edited by zzffnn on Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

microman
Posts: 122
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:16 pm

Post by microman »

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

pbertner
Posts: 999
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:07 am
Location: Canada
Contact:

Post by 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
Posts: 124
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:40 pm
Location: India

Post by razashaikh »

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

ChrisR
Site Admin
Posts: 8662
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:58 am
Location: Near London, UK

Post by ChrisR »

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

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic