Through the thistle

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Through the thistle

July 4, 2013 by Mike Powell

Globe Thistles (Echinops ritro) have an interesting geometric look when viewed from a distance, but they get even more magical up close, when the spiky parts of the flower seem to glow like little Christmas lights.

As I was admiring the thistles in my neighbors’ garden, I spotted this beetle, which I think might be a Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus velutinus). The beetle was slowing searching for prey, weaving his way through the spiked protrusions of the plant. I decided to try to get at eye level with the beetle and to shoot through the thistle.

In most of the shots that I took, the beetle’s face was hidden, but I was happy to get this image in which the face and antennae are visible. Given that the beetle was moving, I am also content that this macro shot is pretty much in focus and the important elements are not blurred.

Posted in Flowers, Gardening, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography | Tagged Banded Longhorn beetle, beetle, globe thistle, longhorn beetle, thistle, Typocerus velutinus | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on July 4, 2013 at 7:03 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

Nice macro! He looks hungry.I wonder what they eat.
- on July 4, 2013 at 7:11 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I am not sure what they eat and it can’t be sure he was hunting, but he seemed to me moving with a purpose.
on July 4, 2013 at 10:57 am | Reply newleafsite

Hello, Mike. Beautiful photos! I enjoy that you returned to admire your neighbor’s globe thistle two days after your previous post about it. I find myself watching particular plants in neighbors’ gardens, returning to see how they’re doing. A few years back, I spotted a neighbor counting the blooms on one of my lilies. He was so taken with it, I knew I couldn’t love it as much as he did; so I dug it up at the end of the season and gave it to him. I was right: he claims to do nothing special, but it now looks twice as big, in his garden. Thank you for sharing your garden in a most enjoyable blog! — Elizabeth
- on July 4, 2013 at 3:56 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much for your comments. My neighbor is a professional photographer and fellow blogger and is the one largely responsible for inspiring and encouraging me in photography. She likes to joke with me that I know what’s blooming in her garden more than she does.
on July 4, 2013 at 1:21 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

The detail is amazing and I really appreciate the background information you provide.
on July 5, 2013 at 9:18 am | Reply Sue

Really nice shot Mike. I love the colors.