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Slow and Steady wins the Race


Slow and Steady wins the Race
Photo Information
Copyright: Paras Bhalla (parasbhalla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 532 W: 0 N: 1595] (6613)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-23
Categories: Nature, Macro
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P150
Exposure: f/3.0, 1/120 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-09-09 0:59
Viewed: 168
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Good Morning, TL-members!

I watched this ladybug for several minutes, and after a long time of dead slow perching, this cute ladybug is going to attain its goal after reaching to the central part of the flower, in order to find some tiny insects.

I hope you enjoy the picture.

best regards,

Paras

-------------------------------------

Information on Ladybug from "WiKiPedia" free web dictionary:

Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (British English, Australian English, South African English), ladybugs (North American English) or lady beetles (preferred by some scientists). Lesser-used names include ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Coccinellidae
(Latreille, 1807)

They are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. A very large number of species are mostly or entirely black, grey, or brown and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize as coccinellids (and, conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken as such, like tortoise beetles).

Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone.

A few species are pests in North America and Europe, but they are generally considered useful insects as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. The Mall of America, for instance, releases thousands of ladybugs into its indoor park as a natural means of pest control for its gardens.

Biology:

Coccinellids are typically predators of Hemiptera such as aphids and scale insects, though conspecific larvae and eggs can also be important resources when alternative prey are scarce. Members of the subfamily Epilachninae are herbivores, and can be very destructive agricultural pests (e.g., the Mexican bean beetle). While predatory species are often used as biological control agents, introduced species of ladybirds (such as Harmonia axyridis or Coccinella septempunctata in North America) outcompete and displace native coccinellids and become pests in their own right.

Coccinellids are often brightly colored to ward away potential predators. This phenomenon is called aposematism and works because predators learn by experience to associate certain prey phenotypes with a bad taste (or worse). Mechanical stimulation (such as by predator attack) causes "reflex bleeding" in both larval and adult ladybird beetles, in which an alkaloid toxin is exuded through the joints of the exoskeleton, deterring feeding. Ladybugs, as well as other Coccinellids are known to spray a venomous toxin to certain mammals and other insects when threatened.

Most coccinellids overwinter as adults, aggregating on the south sides of large objects such as trees or houses during the winter months, and dispersing in response to increasing day length in the spring. In Harmonia axyridis, eggs hatch in 3–4 days from clutches numbering from a few to several dozen. Depending on resource availability, the larvae pass through four instars over 10–14 days, after which pupation occurs. After a teneral period of several days, the adults become reproductively active and are able to reproduce again, although they may become reproductively quiescent if eclosing late in the season.

It is thought that certain species of Coccinellids lay extra infertile eggs with the fertile eggs. These appear to provide a backup food source for the larvae when they hatch. The ratio of infertile to fertile eggs increases with scarcity of food at the time of egg laying.
harpya, tnahari, horias, Juliet, boreocypriensis, chendis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2255 W: 175 N: 0] (29152)
  • [2009-09-09 1:01]

Hi Paras ;)
Very impressive 3D macro shot...TFS
best regards,
J ;)

Good morning Paras

nice shot:)
beautiful colors and POV
the problem is that is out of focus
Sorry :(

Have a grate day!
Oana

Dear Paras
Regardless of not accurate focus, the composition is so nice.
The colors are faithful and your POV is amazing here...
Thank you
Alireza

Hi and Good Morning Paras,

Another excellent macro of a ladybug from top POV with excellent details and delightful composition.
TFS and cheers MF!

bayram

  • Good 
  • KBE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 451 W: 103 N: 593] (2741)
  • [2009-09-09 2:26]

Hello Paras Bhalla
The composition is very decent, however i find u have done a heavy crop here, its a little pixelized the sharpness it really lacks :)

TFS
Cheers
JZM

good macro, sharpness, color and framing, congratulations, hugs

Hi Paras
Not sharp but beautiful macro shot
Great details and note
Have a nice days
Burak

Hi Paras,
Nice macro and colors. Well composed. I love ladybugs and this has great details. I hope you don't mind a slight workshop. Thanks for the notes ! Julie

Paras,
lovely capture, This ladybug is mai favorite insect.
Congratulation!
In Romania, we use this name for kafer(VW) too!!!
Horia

Ciao Paras, good macro with lovely ladybug, great natural colors, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • nicou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1307 W: 0 N: 2598] (20817)
  • [2009-09-09 11:15]

Hello,

Fantastique macro de cette coxinelle, comme elle est bien présentée avec le brillant sur sa carapace, dans ce coeur jaune, une merveille.

Bravo et maitié

Nicou

Salam Paras Bhaijaan,
A wonderful close up vith lovely ladybug.TFS.
Namaste,

hAyAti

Hello Paras,

After seeing your ladybirds on TL, I saw my first one in the garden since April! It wasn't as active as yours, just sleeping in the sunshine. I should write SUNSHINE in capital letters as it is the first for many days!

The composition and the image positioning in your shot, are excellent. I love how the lines of the flower lead towards the centre which is so well placed in the frame.
Sadly, there is a little pixelation, possibly from a hard crop but it doesn't really spoil the appreciation of the photograph.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)
I don't know cybershots. Can you change the lens on them?

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 81 N: 66] (12454)
  • [2009-09-09 18:05]

dear Paras,
this picture is very similar with your previous shot,
but this lady looks going toward the center heart portion in the flower,
and her seven stars on her back are seen well.
then comparatively soft focus shows more tender feeling of her like in a dream.
anyway one nice scene in the fantastic story,
thank you for your wonderful shot,
Akihisa

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5722 W: 198 N: 2491] (9807)
  • [2009-09-09 19:07]

Ciao Paras,


Here, our friend ladybug again throughout
your splendor and beauty!
This is an attractive composition,
a clever touch to use the yellow petal the background!
Very well composition, lovely presentation.

Warmest regards,

Sergio

  • Great 
  • glint Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 620 W: 3 N: 531] (3606)
  • [2009-09-20 1:33]

hello Paras,
I discover that you have some lovely wildlife flower and insect pictures in your gallery. This came to my attention immediately because of its composition and subject...how can we resist the lafybird? I like that the composition is made up of the centre of the flower and the lady bird in a nicely balanced way. You have created a good frame to that compliments your picture.
Bev

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