Formica incerta (left) with the slave-raiding ant Polyergus lucidusPhoto details:
Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens on a Canon EOS 7D
ISO 200, f/13, 1/250 sec
diffuse twin flash
I was lucky enough to witness a raid while at BugShot 2011. Unfortunately I got in at the end and was only able to get a few good photos. But nevertheless it was truly impressive. The four days at BugShot were full of great learning experiences and interacting with a bunch of like minded folks. Hopefully if things work out I will be able to get to the next one.
The slave cowers before the master…
Great shot!
Thanks Adrian- I always appreciate compliments from talented photographers!
My thought too – what a great capture! Even if you didn’t know the natural history, you’d still get the story of a power-play here.
I was lucky enough to witness a raid while at BugShot 2011. Unfortunately I got in at the end and was only able to get a few good photos. But nevertheless it was truly impressive. The four days at BugShot were full of great learning experiences and interacting with a bunch of like minded folks. Hopefully if things work out I will be able to get to the next one.
Field photographs of Polyergus are really, really hard to do well. That’s why I’ve cheated with this photo, using captured ants shot in the studio.
This is a link to my best photo of that raid. It shows a slave-raider carrying off a victim.
http://www.natureinmypocket.com/Nature/Insects/16410524_t6h4dd#1467847770_tWN8g4Z
Those thorn bugs of yours are really spectacular, Don.
sweep the leg
Heh.