Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula Hawk

VERY powerful sting, 2nd only to the Bullet Ant. Their
population is BOOMING this year. I've never seen so many
of them. In most years, I might see ONE, if any. This
year, they're practically ubiquitous. You do NOT want to
be stung by one...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula_hawk

Posted by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 14:33
[ Back to Index | Home | Previous Image | Next Image ]


Comments by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 14:34


A few more...


Comments by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 14:35


Comments by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 14:35


Comments by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 14:44


Tried to capture one in flight. Took many photos. This is the best I
could do...


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Thu, 07/06/17 15:47

Whatever pose you captured the Tarantula Hawk looks like a formidable insect and that sting would want one to keep away from it (so good on you for getting close to get your macro images of the winged creature). I like the opening image with the manner in which the eyes of the Tarantula Hawk is highlighted.

Did a Google and finding out how they hunt the tarantula and then lay an egg in the abdomen of the spider makes one pity the end of life for the tarantula.


Comments by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 17:20

Thanks, Jan! Long time no chat!

Indeed, these things are beasts. They're pretty docile unless you're
a tarantula. Or they feel threatened -- then they'll sting. I'm
becoming very "sting shy" lately. I've been stung so many times by
my honey bees in the last year that I now wear a full head-to-toe
bee-suit whenever I go near them. I don't want to be stung by a
tarantula hawk...


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Thu, 07/06/17 19:32

I should have asked with my last comment. What lens did you use to get your closeups?


Comments by Jacky on Thu, 07/06/17 21:13

Hi Jan. It's an old Tamron. Zooms from 70mm to 300mm. I had it
zoomed all the way out. It has a Macro switch on it, which allows
you to get a little closer to the subject. It's really not a very
good lens. I have to stop it down to at least f/11. Usually more. I
think these photos were at f/13. The lens is not sharp at all if
opened up past f/8. Which means it's pretty bad in low light
situations. It's good enough for wandering around in the yard,
though.


Comments by Sandi MacDonald on Sun, 07/09/17 15:01

That is one heck of a bug! Not sure if I would be pleased to see one live to shoot...;-)


Comments by Jacky on Tue, 07/11/17 14:24

Thanks for commenting, Sandi! Indeed, they are somewhat intimidating
bugs!


Comments by Paul Bracey on Wed, 07/12/17 11:58

Good series!