Symbiotic Relationship - Aphids and Ants
Moderators: MacroMike, nzmacro, Ken Ramos, twebster, S. Alden
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Symbiotic Relationship - Aphids and Ants
D30, MP-E 65 f2.8 with 12mm extension tube at around 5x, lighted with two flashes, 1/250 sec. at f16. Setup on a tripod. Sharpened and resized. No cropping.
This is an old one that was taken in July 2002. It's one that I felt so lucky to encounter, but unfortunately, I have not seen such a scene since... I will, of course, keep searching.
What follow are the comments I had at the time... When I realized that there were flocks of aphids on a stem of grass yesterday, I had been trying to get a shot of an ant picking up a droplet from an aphid since. I spent quite a few hours and got about 8 shots of such yesterday, but not with the perspective that I wanted. Tonight when I got home from work, I set it up, but unfortunately the aphids were all facing far from the "right" direction to the camera, and I was not able to get any good shot. One of the aphid, next to the big one in this photo, left. This one, originally facing the camera, turned side-way just as it is shown. I was so happy, and could almost visualize this shot. A few minutes later, this ant came along and "drummed" the body of the aphid with its antennae, and this aphid raised its behind, and I pressed the shutter!!!
Charles Chien
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- Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Great photograph there Charles and a very informative one too. I recently read an article on what you have captured. It seems that the ants actually take care of the aphids for that particular reason. The secretions from the aphids are loaded with glucose, I believe, anyway it is supposed to be sweet, so the ants and the aphids as you mentioned have a symbiotic relationship. Once again an excellent photograph with outstanding clarity and comp.
Site Admin.
Kenneth Ramos
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Kens Microscopy
Reposts of my images within the galleries are welcome, as are constructive critical critiques.
Kenneth Ramos
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Kens Microscopy
Reposts of my images within the galleries are welcome, as are constructive critical critiques.
Well your work is just amazing M8t. I saw a shot of an ant milking an aphid the other day, opened up the post and it was from so far back, you couldn't really see it.
This is amazing Charles. your entire ant series is something to see, just incredible work IMO. The sharp details and the ratio show us exactly what is going on in this shot. You just post as many of your old shots as you like M8t, they are extraordinary Charles. Always loved you work.
All the very best M8t, a pleasure to see you here my friend
Danny.
This is amazing Charles. your entire ant series is something to see, just incredible work IMO. The sharp details and the ratio show us exactly what is going on in this shot. You just post as many of your old shots as you like M8t, they are extraordinary Charles. Always loved you work.
All the very best M8t, a pleasure to see you here my friend
Danny.
- twebster
- Site Admin
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- Location: Phoenix "Valley of the Sun", Arizona, USA
Hi ya' Charles
This is a terrific image. Such wonderful behavior few get to see. That is why your image was chosen for the December/January Administrator's Appreciation image. Great job
Best regards as always, my friend
This is a terrific image. Such wonderful behavior few get to see. That is why your image was chosen for the December/January Administrator's Appreciation image. Great job
Best regards as always, my friend
Tom Webster
Administrator
Phoenix "The Valley of the Sun", Arizona, USA
Think about this...maybe Murphy is an optimist!!!
Administrator
Phoenix "The Valley of the Sun", Arizona, USA
Think about this...maybe Murphy is an optimist!!!
Congrats Charles, looks great on the cover. Excellent job!!
Site Admin.
Kenneth Ramos
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Kens Microscopy
Reposts of my images within the galleries are welcome, as are constructive critical critiques.
Kenneth Ramos
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Kens Microscopy
Reposts of my images within the galleries are welcome, as are constructive critical critiques.
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- Posts: 92
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2004 4:52 pm
- Location: California, USA
THANK YOU!!!
Thank you, Tom and staff, for the great honor. And, thanks for you all of your support. Hopefully I will run into scenes like this one again!
Have a great holiday season!!!
Sincerely,
Charles Chien
Have a great holiday season!!!
Sincerely,
Charles Chien
Charles Chien
- MikeBinOKlahoma
- Posts: 1491
- Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2004 4:30 pm
- Location: Umm....Could it be Oklahoma?
This is awesome. I'm going to have to try to get one like this in 2005. I hope I can come close to pulling it off this well! The DOF seems endless!
Mike Broderick
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"I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.....My mandate includes weird bugs."--Calvin
(reposts on this site of my images for critique or instruction are welcome)
_____________________________________________________________
"I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul.....My mandate includes weird bugs."--Calvin
(reposts on this site of my images for critique or instruction are welcome)