THERE! Now turn your head to the right...tilt your head...

[Loupey]

...OK.......now smile

[Sushigaijin]

That's a cool one, Loupey! Very photogenic critters, fun to shoot and they definitely have the pose down

Glad to see you are finding them too, even though yours look cooler than mine...This year has been CRAZY for mantids and frogs...I wonder what the deal is?

[Pink Dragonfly]

Wow, you guys really have some weird creatures! What on earth is this???
Is this another one of your backyard finds?

Mette

[Dylan8i]

loupey, what lense, tube combo did you use for these? i just recieved my 70-200 vr today, and think a set of good tubes may be in order :-D

Mette
that is what is commonly refered to as a praying mantis

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef418.asp

many people think that these are protected, and you cannot harm them ( why would you anyhows?) but in fact most of the ones people find are actually an introduced species. (see link)

[AgingEyes]

...OK.......now smile

Did you forget to add something in the "Stalking methods question", "photo tips" threads that you also have to talk to the target, like you did to some kind of praying mantis?

[Loupey]

Glad to see you are finding them too, even though yours look cooler than mine...This year has been CRAZY for mantids and frogs...I wonder what the deal is?

Actually this is my first mantis shots for the year. I have been looking for them and I've only found two in my area. But there are many that fly into the Friday night HS football games every week and scare the pants off the spectators.

Strange because a lot of areas where I'm used to seeing them has been void of them - thus my lack of previous shooting opportunities.

Better late then never I suppose.

[Loupey]

Is this another one of your backyard finds?

What?! No!

It was shot in the front yard

We actually found it among the leaf clutter on the back deck - so you're technically correct. I carried it out to the front where the morning light was coming in.

I'm sure my neighbors got an eyeful this morning with me in my PJ's out front in the dirt

[Loupey]

loupey, what lense, tube combo did you use for these? i just recieved my 70-200 vr today, and think a set of good tubes may be in order :-D

I grudgingly used my 180mm macro for these and the snake shot. I really don't like using it as it doesn't have IS/VR and is not really condusive to my style of shooting. But my 300mm still doesn't work right with extension tubes (with two 40D's and now the 50D) and it is really bumming me out.

For the snake, I ran back to the house (about 75' away), ran back with the 300mm+Tubes which didn't work, ran back with the 300mm+Tubes, ran back with the 180mm. Those where hand held. These were with my small backup tripod (didn't have time to get my primary tripod in the car).

But you're right, I should have used my 70-200mm with tubes as it is right next to my 300mm. Haven't tested that one to see if it works properly with tubes with the 50D - will do that tomorrow morning.

[Loupey]

Did you forget to add something in the "Stalking methods question", "photo tips" threads that you also have to talk to the target, like you did to some kind of praying mantis?

LOL

You wouldn't want to know all the little tips and tricks I go through to get a shot

But mental telepathy works even better.

[Pink Dragonfly]

I'm having a real good laugh here, imagining you out there in your front yard in your PJ's, camera in hand and practicing mental telepathy with a praying mantis I hope your neighbour got a good picture of you!!!

Dylan, thanks for enlightening me! It's hard work keeping up with the weird and wonderful creatures in Loupey's back yard

Mette