The Usual Mantisuspects

[Don Ellis]

Don't want you to think I've gone totally infrared...

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis_green1.jpg

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis_yellow1.jpg

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis_yellow2.jpg

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis_yellow3.jpg

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis_red1.jpg

Cheers,

Don

[robekert]

Don,
Top notch as always. Like them all, love the last one. The mantis is presented so well against the red flowers. Good eye. The DOF of the first shot is also very pleasing.
Rob

[dewmuw]

Great shots Don - as usual.

Keep you head down when Du-Juan hits.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wonderfull photos that,.. like the man says,.. were clearly begging for color shots! :)

[Laziferous]

Nice Don. Your Mantis photos always stand out, you have a great background with those plants. So healthy and lush.

I have a Mantis or twenty living in the bush just out my front door. I take pictures whenever I see them, as I'm passing by, going in or out. I rarely post them though, because the background is always the same.

I'm not as bold as you, to move them about. I've only picked up one... it was a juvenile, and it was still very displeased with my probing fingers. He/she tried to turn around and picnh/bite me... so I let go petty quick. After that, it wouldn't allow me to get close with the camera. I guess I'll have to work on a rapport with these guys and gals.

I did take a shot of one that was on my stoop... at least that's a little different.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/16IMG_2451-small.jpg

[new girl on the bloc]

these are gorgeous don! i love the contrast of the green mantis on the orange and red foliage. in a word - wow!

[marie]

those gorgeous flowers and mr mantis go so well together don, they are terrific pictures.
beautifully clear. and the lovely colours.
altogether really nice

( wondering if very special visit to penang has happened yet ? )

best wishes
marie

[SoCal69]

Don:

See my comments to all your other photos and just cut and paste them in here... I can't think of any new words to describe how wonderful your images are!

[pappy]

These are superb photographs, as always. I have no particular favourite, they are all spectacular. The colour and contrast are wonderful.

regards,
peter

[Servant]

Wow, very nice pix!

Servant

[Don Ellis]

Rob, CDS, Damian... thanks very much. Always good to hear from you. I appreciate your taking the time.

Don

[Don Ellis]

Laziferous wrote:
Nice Don. Your Mantis photos always stand out, you have a great background with those plants. So healthy and lush.

I have a Mantis or twenty living in the bush just out my front door. I take pictures whenever I see them, as I'm passing by, going in or out. I rarely post them though, because the background is always the same.

I'm not as bold as you, to move them about. I've only picked up one... it was a juvenile, and it was still very displeased with my probing fingers. He/she tried to turn around and picnh/bite me... so I let go petty quick. After that, it wouldn't allow me to get close with the camera. I guess I'll have to work on a rapport with these guys and gals.

I did take a shot of one that was on my stoop... at least that's a little different.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/16IMG_2451-small.jpg
Hey, Laz,

Thanks for the comments. As for picking them up, try sticking your finger or hand (depending on the size of the beast) in front of them. Over here, they just walk right on... in fact, it's a bit of a nuisance trying to get them to walk right off onto a suitable background.

As for being camera shy, mine are the worst camera hogs around... they're constantly jumping from their perch to my camera. When I'm using two cameras, they jump from one to another, then I switch, and they jump to the one I switched to. Bit of a nuisance.

Nice shot you included... yours have striped faces. Very Indian. :)

Cheers,

Don

[Don Ellis]

Marie, Chuck, Peter, Servant... thank you, thank you. You're all just too kind. I would say more but I'm worn out from typhoon rebuilding and baby mantis shooting. Time for bed.

Cheers,

Don

P.S. Haven't left for Penang yet, Marie.