Soldier Beetle

One of our gum trees is in flower at the moment, it's been inundated with Soldier Beetles. Caught this fellow taking a drink of pollen.

Other pic for today http://365project.org/dianeburns/others-2014/2014-04-06

[sally agnew]

Great macro Diane, now I know what they are :-)

[Sam]

Fabulous detail Diane!

[Harbie]

Another great shot! Love the flower and nectar!

[Tammi]

Love the detail and focus! What a great picture!

[Veronica Bobonica]

Awesome shots for both pics. The flower and the beetle are something we don't see often here in NorCal. Favorite on both!

[Shawna Schroeder]

Great macro, nice detail :)

[Islandgirl]

Greet detail in this shot!

[Deb]

Fantastic macro!! I love all the detail you've captured, even the beetle.

[Milanie]

Really nice close-up. Been watching for signs of insect life here. Maybe soon.

[Niki]

ooh great close up ... it must be the day for insects :D I like his stripey yellow.

[Candace]

Went back and forth on which I liked the best….#2 won! Fav!

[Gena Pegg]

Amaziing detail on this very interesting looking bug...and great beauty in the flower! What great timing to capture him taking a drink! Love this

[Dawn Ulmer]

Excellent macro of this little guy.

[Claire]

That is one ugly insect but one amazingly timed shot, brilliant

[Newbank Lass]

Great capture. I like the black and white contrast.

[Ian]

Great shot

[Carole Imes]

Fab DOF and brilliant capture of the details in both the bug and flower. It's a fav, Diane!

[Lynn]

Spectacular - definitely a fav

[Judy]

Fabulous macro. Great detail on the beetle, but also on those delicate stamens.

[Poppo Livy]

The splash of orange together with the black yellow and white looks great.

[Diane]

@hermann @gigiflower @harbie @tstarr @shawnasays @radiogirl @dgrynn @milaniet @kiwiniknak @eyesmile @deu49097 @claireuk @newbank @ian365 @unfolding @terryliv Thank you everyone for your kind comments!

[Diane]

@rubicon Thank you very much Lynn!

[Diane]

@cimes1 Thanks so much Carole!

[Diane]

@ribbet9 Thanks very much Candace!

[Diane]

@veronicabobonica Thank you very much Veronica!

[Margaret Brown]

Beautiful fav!

[Helen]

Great shot, "Beauty & The Beast".........

[Brianna]

Wow, wonderful macro shot! Love the amount of detail you can see! :D

[vstap]

Wow! Great catch.

[Alex]

Great macro! I am amazed! Congratulations on your success!
Good luck, Alex. Wish you happy!

[Nina Ganci]

great portrait and colour contrast.

[Linsey]

Amazing close-up, great capture!

[Stephanie Swift]

Great detail in this wonderful closeup, Diane. Do the beetles damage the tree or its blossoms?

[Kareen King]

Wow - you actually made a soldier beetle look aesthetically pleasing. Fav!

[Diane]

@craftymeg @dizzyd @lilminimonka @vstap @baalst @ninaganci @kiscsillag Thanks so much everyone!

[Diane]

@tristansmum They don't do to much damage Stephanie!

[Diane]

@kareenking Thanks for that Kareen! They aren't the best looking beetle for sure!

[Dianne]

Gorgeous macro shot - well done.

[Diane]

@dide Thanks Dianne!

[Della Astle]

Nice macro, the colours of the flower contrast well with the colouring on the beetle.

[*lynn]

amazing shot... such great detail

[Maria Ostrowski]

great capture!