Uploads from Melanie Eliades, tagged wings

The Future Queen

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:46:54 -0700

I love this winged ant! Could she be a future Queen ant or just a male-winged ant flying around looking for the Queen? I'm not sure.

I'll guess she's a queen looking for a new place to start a new nest. It was raining when I found her, perched on an acacia tree. She was really friendly as far as ants go. Interesting behavior I noticed with her was she was tapping her left foot continuously. I've seen this behavior in a sugar ant (that was a queen) so maybe this is normal? perhaps she was just warning me off? It was fun watching her, I found her to be a pleasure to photograph.

Taken with a macro lens: MP-E 65mm @ 5x magnification.

Winged Ant

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:23:36 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Explore: #267 on, June 28, 2010

This time of the year in Victoria, Australia makes it tough for the macro enthusiast to find any creatures worthwhile shooting, but luckily the ants are out and about and give me something to capture.

I have been a little cheeky peeling back a few pieces of bark on the gum-trees to see if something is hiding and I stumbled across this small ant colony with what contained a few winged ants.

I'm guessing these ones will eventually fly off when the weather warms up to start their own new colonies.

Perfect Poser

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:42:29 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Explore: #111 on, April 10, 2010

This little wasp or (Yellow faced Bee thanks to Ryn for help with ID) was a pleasure to photograph, so pretty and friendly. He was very patient with me as I battled with the strong breeze.
He was a tiny little one, no more than 5mm in length. I only spotted him due to the yellow markings on his face catching my eye.
I like his pose in this capture, notice his front shorter legs position as he rests on his perch.
Location: Australia North-East Victoria
Probably a fairly common little wasp/bee but as I'm still new to photographing these guys I have plenty to learn. Anyone help with an id for him/her?

Golden whiskers in a sea of green.

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 02:55:01 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

This little fly stood out in a sea of green grass. I hadn't found anything of interest on this particular macro outing and just as I was ready to go home I spotted her.
Her little face really stood out being so bright yellow.

She was in a very awkward position to get to. I managed to get a full body shot fairly easily and then as I moved in a little closer for a higher mag shot she moved. Many a time I catch myself holding my breath, perhaps to further still my movement. I managed this one shot and she was gone.

I would have like to get more DOF in this image but I like the details in the yellow hairs enough to share her with you.

Taken with MP-E65mm macro lens @ 4x magnification.
Location: Australia, North-East Victoria.

Butterfly Chasey

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:28:46 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

I noticed this butterfly flying low to the ground close to some long grass. I've not had much luck at getting in close to these creatures esp when they are warm and full of energy.

Once it landed I crept up to it ever so quietly and just as I was close enough to get a shot off she'd go! and the fun game of chasing this flighty creature about lasted for a few minutes.

I decided to try a different tactic and put my finger out close to the blade of grass and damn it she walked right on. I was then able to take a few side profile portraits.

I've found once you've taken a few shots of a creature from more of a distance its worth seeing just how close you can get to it. I've lost quite a few good shots but also managed to pull a few off too.

Taken with MP-E65mm @ 3x magnification.

Coiffed Bee Do

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:40:45 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

This cute little character was very funny indeed. From this first image you can see it looks very fluffy, not so from its side or aerial profile it looks almost hairless.

To be fair to this little bee it must have been caught in a brief rain-shower earlier. I found it in a pretty pea-type native flower, hiding in the spiky foliage. It was a very windy afternoon and I had to break of the flower to get access to the bee to get a decent shot. The bee didn't seem worried by me and proceeded to give itself a little clean and then started feeding on the flowers.

I'm not sure on the id for this native it was found in North-East Victoria, Australia and was around 5mm in length. It had very long antenna for a bee! and a reddish coloured abdomen.

BEE-UTIFUL BEE

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:49:40 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

It's winter in Australia, so with the colder weather not too many bees are out and about.

It was a treat to see some bees as we had a lovely sunny winters day, but with still a lot of moisture around.

I found this one in the mud so i gave him a helping hand, brushed the mud from his fur and a few minutes later he was gladly on his way to collect more pollen.

As a thank you he posed for me. I like the front on portrait as more often you see them from a side on view.

Regal Poser

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:00:40 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

This lady has an air of arrogance about her! can you see it?
I love the bronze colour on the body and little fringe of hairs around the head.

The little fly that smiled :o)

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:25:32 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

I know she's tiny but I swear she was smiling at me from her leaf, she almost looks like a little cartoon character, as far as flies go I think she's kinda cute. :o)

This little girl was minute in size: This is shot with a 100mm macro lens and a full set of Kenko extension tubes.

Sweet Dreams little Soldier

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:04:36 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

A Female Soldier Fly Stratiomyidae: Odontomyia sp.
I refrained from waking her as she was in a nice peaceful pose.

Location: Australia, North-East Victoria

Mrs & Mr Drone

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:02:12 -0700

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Drone Fly : Diptère_Syrphide_Eristalis-Aeneus
(A big thank-you from Duvali@-Lat@ for I.D. on this gorgeous fly.)

I spotted this female Drone Fly feeding in a Hebe Flower! What I didn't realise until looking at the images later was that I had also photographed a male Drone fly (image below) also feeding on a nearby flower. (I thought they were the same fly).

I am not sure of the species of Drone but they were incredibly gorgeous with their golden striped bodies and yellow/green spotted eyes (I think their eyes looked a little more green than I captured here). I found it hard to get a good shot of their bodies as they were highly reflective.

Females and Males can be distinguished from one another from the size of their eyes.
Females have smaller eyes whereas the males eyes are larger and almost touching.

Location: Australia, Victoria - Metung.

Midge (Male) - Non-Biting (Tiny 4mm)

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:50:13 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Explore: #480 on, March 13, 2010

Midge (Chironomids) Non-biting at a tiny approx 4mm.

This is a Midge they are tiny tiny creatures that could easily be mistaken for mosquitoes.
Whilst resting a mosquito has it back legs elevated whereas the Midge rests its front legs above its head.

This Midge can be identified as a male due to its fluffy-feather like antenna.

Midges commonly occur in inland and coastal natural and man-made bodies of water.

Location: Australia, NE Victoria.

Best viewed large (for my contacts only).

This was taken with a Canon 100mm Macro lens with a full set of Kenko Extension tubes.

Red-Eyed Bug (Leptocoris sp.)

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:31:21 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Here we have what I believe'd to be an "Assassin Bug".
Thanks to Jean I have discovered this to be a Red Eyed Bug - Leptocoris sp.

These guys like to feed on sap from a host plant (usually not causing any noticeable damage) and flowers nectar, like this echinachea flower. They can often be seen on the ground running very quickly. They also have a full set of wings.

Located: Australia, North east Victoria.

Pinks my colour

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:21:43 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Explore: #337 on, March 6, 2010
I don't think this lil guy could stick his head in this tiny tubular flower any further if he tried.

Watch out your next Melieli

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:08:15 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Here we have the same wasp photographed after her busy afternoon of hunting for caterpillars. After every capture she could be seen giving her antenna a good preen. I was trying to get a better look at her thru the basil leaves and pulled one obstructing my view, well well well bad move, she was not impressed and came straight for me, luckily I had the lens between us!

Incidentally my mum has been stung by one of these gals and it was not pretty, she was wearing a yellow t-shirt and I saw her heading straight for mum! she was in pain for a few weeks after the sting.

I don't wear yellow! (If you haven't already please wander over to my other series of images where you can see this gal in action with a caterpillar.)

L'amour

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:28:05 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Vinegar Fly - Drosophila (Tiny little fly's around 3-4mm) feeding mainly on rotting fruit.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Spots & Stripes #1

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:05:34 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Native Drone Fly (Eristalinus punctulatus)

The Native Drone Fly is a brightly coloured hover fly with large strange spotted eyes.
They get their name as a result of the hovering flight that makes a droning noise like a bee.

They feed on the nectar of flowers. This guy was around 10mm in size.

Spots & Stripes #2

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:04:42 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Ready for Takeoff

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:11:39 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

I like this little guys pose, looks like his wings are a cape and he's ready for takeoff.

He was very small measuring no more than 12mm.

Skippy gets a nose

nobody@flickr.com (Melanie Eliades) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:21:27 -0800

Melanie Eliades posted a photo:

Who say's butterflys dont have noses. Can't you see my cute black button nose?

These guys use chemoreceptors at the ends of their antennas and on the bottoms of their feet to smell.