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The invader


The invader
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1906 W: 107 N: 4875] (16757)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-01-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S5000, Fujinon 10X zoom
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Beetles and Bugs of the world, Invertebrates & Fungi of the Sydney region. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-02-17 23:25
Viewed: 4105
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Yes I know they’re burnt with too much flash (where was the diffuser), but please read on.

I was quietly minding my own business checking TN when I heard a commotion in the lounge room, followed by female screams. I dashed into the room to see my partner and her friend on one side of the room pointing at the other. I looked, and there was this longicorn beetle rushing around the coffee table snapping its jaws.
As this beetle is about 70mm long, has a similar wingspan, a solid build and possess a mean set of mandibles, I forgave the cowering women and trapped the poor beetle with an inverted container where it calmed down a bit. Apparently the poor beetle had flown in through the open door on a rare humid summer night. As you can imagine, having such a large beetle flying around your head would startle anyone.
After calming the beetle down I lifted the container and took a couple of pictures, then I took it outside and put it in a pot plant and captured the upper image. It climbed onto the rim of the pot plant and took off.
I think the beetle is a Poinciana longicorn (Agrianome spinicollis), but I could easily be wrong.
LordPotty, sAner, livios, gerhardt, marhowie, willie, Signal-Womb, Luc, Callie has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Callie: I'll give it a gosandpiper2 1 03-09 18:13
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Chris. This is very familiar. Almost the same as what we call Huhu beetles here in NZ. They do gnash their jaws alarmingly....enough to give me the willies anyway. I did a Huhu post a while back.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1455 W: 74 N: 1426] (4750)
  • [2005-02-18 3:13]

Great note Chris! A little bit overexposed maybe, but very nice anyway. TFP

WoW! Chris I love the longicarons and this one ROCKS! The bigger the better. :) I have not seen this species before but love this. Very interesting, so glad it dropped in on you's. TFS.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2005-02-18 7:00]

Chris, your note is indeed a very pleasant chronicle. Congratulations.

I like the photos. The bug is interesting, the pictures have great sharpness. The flash doesn't bother me.

Chris, Like the top frame & POV best here. Good details..Enjoyed the story, screams and all! Well done!!

Chis, Great photos and a great story to go with them.

Good one Chris. The images are great. The guys normally move so fast it's difficult to get a good POV on them because of the spread of their mandibles. Good work

Good perspective in each case Chris showing nice details and clarity...well done.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-02-28 3:36]

Great photos, Chris, with a very nice dramatic story ;-)
Thanks

Hi Chris
This is a winner, and the action leading to this must have been fun too - lucky you! Go to selective colours in PS, select neutral, and absolute, slide the black slider to the right a bit ,not more than say 7 or so, then click black, do the same, and you should loose some of the flash.
As for my 2 h, I reckon it was well spent, gave me the practice, and now I will try it again.

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