With sometimes thousands (okay, dozens) of these creatures on all the screens for every door, going outside involves covering every part of your body, wearing a hat and netting over your head, spraying with deep woods bug spray and hearing buzzing constantly as you move out there. SO, I'm embarrassed to say how long I've spent indoors, photographing the dumb things and trying to get a clear image. This is taken through the screen as the mosquito looked into the house, using a macro 105mm, and about 2 inches away from it. Cropped a bit as well. It's like it is daring me to go out the screen door!
May post a more appealing photo later ... as I did get out a little bit this morning before wimping out.
I would not have realised the insect was on the other side of the screen if I had not read your comment. Great to see a natyre image with a graphic content. A great composition.
Great capture Taffy! I hate mozzies and if there is one around I will get bitten to death! When I went to the Canadian Rockies I was warned about mozzies and took vitimen B for weeks as recommended and took Deet spray with me. We didn't see one! I would be inside with you! Hope they clear away soon!
@jyokota Really, this is one of the worst opening weekends we've had! I actually haven't minded all the house cleaning. Couldn't do a photo walk or go to the golf course even if I wanted to! I've been taking pictures from the house or dashing out for 30 seconds and then coming back in.
What absolutely remarkable detail - certainly kept you occupied while you spent your confinement indoors. They look even more intimidating in your shot than on my arm. We haven't hit them big time yet this year.
Yuk, I would not want to spend much time outside with mosquitos like this. You were smart to just stay in and take photos of one and it is a great photo of it. Love the screen it is on as it makes for a wonderful photo and you captured amazing detail. How big is this mosquito? Oh, glad you did finally get outside. What an adventure. Bet you wish you were back in Spain. FAV
You wouldn't have had to worry about this one as it's a male, but I know there are a lot of blood sucking females out there. Excellent macro, I love the grid look from the screen and how you captures those antennae.
The bug population in the midwest is immense this year. Why is that? The gnats at New Salem, Illinois, were fierce last week when I was there! Whenever I stood still to take a photo, they flew at my eyes, up my nose, in my ears. Ack! But they are much preferable to mosquitos, which are like gnats with knives. I hope a good breeze blows them away so you can enjoy some outdoor time. You've captured the threatening nature of these little beasts well.
I didn't realise they had a hairpiece! A great macro. If you go out in the middle of the day, they may be less of them. Dawn and dusk are often the worst time for them.
It's the state bird, isn't it? Incredible macro shot with such detail. We used to get swamp mosquitoes from Louisiana when I was a child on the MS coast. Mosquito epidemics, we called them. Screens are a wonderful invention!
Holy Molly....I saw a "funny" on Face Book saying "Why can't mosquitoes suck fat instead of blood". I was thinking how large they would be in a short period of time...this image reminded me of that! Hopefully he's not really that big. How long does the mosquito infestation last?
@eyesmile If only they'd suck fat instead of blood, I'd be out there gardening, hiking, playing golf, and taking photos!! I'm guessing it will be bad until the end of June as they usually are gone by July. This year, it may take longer. Even the pest control people have said it's the worst they have ever seen, ever ever ever. So, we're not just being wimpy!
I had one thought I was going to share, but after reading all your comments, I have to exclaim, "There's someone who actually KNOWS this is the male of the species!??!?" What an eclectic gathering of people we are! I know I'll have a meet up with them in NS before long, and now, thanks to your photo, they'll feel doubly itchy, knowing how hairy they are!!!
Its a fab shot. I like the story behind it. Mozzies and me DO NOT MIX AT ALL...... But this from the safe distance of my comfy sofa I love. Hope you survive!
@taffy No, definitely no a biologist. I had a great photo of a mosquito once and decided to do a little research. See those feathery antennae? That tells you that it's a male and they don't feast on blood like the females do so that at least cuts your chances of being bitten a little, right? lol.
Fabulous! We are having troubles with mosquitoes and mayflies. Although I've been told that the swarm of mayflies in our front yard is a good thing. They supposedly eat or at least keep mosquitoes away. Either way, my middle son just about got eaten alive Saturday night. But, like my husband, he is a mosquito magnet.
@homeschoolmom Thanks, Lisa! Like you, I thought the frigid winter would keep them down, but apparently all the snow melt and moisture did just the opposite.
June 3rd, 2014
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.