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Category: How'd You Do That?

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The Hunter #1

The Hunter #1
A slow and steady Archimantis latistyla (Stick Mantis) freezes in mid-stride on a Monstera deliciosa leaf.

This close-up study of a garden predator was made in the backyard on my home in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia on a very grey, very dull early summer afternoon.

Canon EOS 40D & Canon 28-135 USM IS Lens: RAW, Manual settings of f/25 @ 1/250sec, 115mm, ISO 100, TTL pop-up flash, Hand held.
Lightroom 2.2 & Photoshop CS3.

Enjoy!

Dennis Gay

THE MAKING OF 'The Hunter #1':

I had not been on a Nature safari in my backyard for a while so after I arrived home from a trip to town I set my camera up for close-ups and headed off into the 'jungle'.
A dragonfly flitted passed me and landed somewhere in the Monstera so I sidled around the rather large plant hunting for it. I spotted the dragonfly but it was a bit twitchy and took off so I looked around for something - anything - else for a subject. As I slowly turned my head to the right I don't know who got the biggest shock, me or the Mantid, as our eyes met and we both froze. As the species are slow movers I was able to make a few shots from different angles and at different distances but I feel this one to be the most dramatic and revealing of the series.

Enjoy!

GB
Dennis

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December 21, 2010

Robert Jensen

Great capture and timing

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December 21, 2010

robinsonphotoart.com - Jeff Robinson

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Fantastic detail and capture Dennis! Jeff

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December 21, 2010

Arthur Bohlmann

Oustanding image with great detail.

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December 21, 2010

Carla Capra Anderson

Hi Dennis;
I agree this is a Great, Fantastic, Outstanding Capture.
;) CC

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December 21, 2010

Dennis Gay

Yowza *ROBERT*, *JEFF*, *ARTHUR* & *CARLA*!!!!

Great to see you all on my backyard bug hunt.
Many, many, many, many Aussie thanks for your combined uplifting and inspiring feedback on my marauding Mantid.

GB
Dennis

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December 21, 2010

Douglas Pignet

Lovely capture with great clarity and colors...Great macro..

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December 22, 2010

Hayden Cannon

Great capture Dennis, very nice colors, lighting, comp and details fantastic capture!

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December 22, 2010

Dennis Gay

By Crikey *MR EDITOR*!!!!!!!!!!

Many mega Aussie thanks for awarding my Mantid a PICK!

GB
Dennis

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December 22, 2010

Dennis Gay

Greetings *DOUGLAS* & *HAYDEN*!!

Grand to see you both in my backyard playing peek-a-boo with the locals.
My biggest, bestest thanks for the encouragement and support of your comboned great feedback on this stealthy close-up.

GB
Dennis

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December 22, 2010

Dennis Gay

Donner und Blitzen Herr Editor!!!!!

Massive Aussie thanks for elevating my stealthy Mantid to the *FINALIST* status!!!!!
GB
Dennis

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January 18, 2011

Karen Celella

Congratulations on your wonderful finalist, Dennis.