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.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Nice macro! He looks hungry.I wonder what they eat.
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.
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
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.
The detail is amazing and I really appreciate the background information you provide.
Really nice shot Mike. I love the colors.