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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2022-05 (Standard Editing)
Collection: 2021-2022 - CHALLENGES & outtakes etc
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Lens: Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro M.Zuiko Digital ED
Date: May 25, 2022
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/125
Galleries: Macro, Insects, etc
Date Uploaded: May 31, 2022

 i was looking for something to photograph near the house .. there was nothing as it was quite cold .. then i spotted this bull ant moving around in the grass .. when he saw me he raised himself up in a threatening manner ... then went back to wandering around but also trying to hide from me behind blades of grass ... the end of my lens would be about 6" to 8" from him ..

bull ants don't bite with those fearsome looking mandibles .. they use them to move eggs .. carry food .. and build their nests ..
they do sting with their rear end tho .. and its very painful .. i got bitten once .. so i know ..

below is some info i got online ..

Bull ants have a fearsome reputation, and deservedly so
Identification
Size Range 8 mm - 40 mm. Bull ants are large, alert ants that can grow up to 40 mm. They have characteristic large eyes and long, slender mandibles and a potent venom-loaded sting. They have superior vision, able to track and even follow intruders from a distance of 1 metre. Many species of bull ants have bright red or orange colours on the head or abdomen.
There are about 90 species of bull ants in Australia with diverse behaviours and life cycles. Nine bull ant species have been recorded in Sydney, but there may be more as yet undiscovered. Some of the smaller species are known as jumper ants after their habit of aggressively jumping toward intruders.
Habitat
Bull ants live in urban areas, forests and woodland, and heath.
Distribution
Bull ants are found throughout Australia.
Feeding and diet
Bull ants collect nectar and other plant juices, as well as animal prey, which are carried back to the nest.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Bull ant nests are usually underground and often have hidden or small entrances. The nests can extend several metres below the ground. They attack intruders of any size that come too close to their nest. Bull ants also have well-developed vision and will follow or even chase an intruder a good distance from the nest. Usually the sight of large aggressive ants streaming out of the nest is enough to prompt a hasty retreat. If not, the ants deliver painful stings by gripping the intruder with their mandibles (jaws), curling their abdomen to reveal the sting and injecting the victim with venom. Often multiple stings are delivered.
Life history cycle
Several species have no colony workers. Instead, a raiding queen invades the nest of another species, kills the resident queen and takes over the colony.
Danger to humans
These ants can deliver painful stings and are aggressive. An ice pack or commercially available spray may be used to relieve the pain of the sting. If there is evidence of an allergic reaction, medical attention should be sought.

a link for more information

[Jun. 7th, 2022 11:39:13 PM]

HALF AN HOUR TILL ROLLOVER ..

thankyou so much for the two comments .. i really appreciate feedback .. xx

this was 7.2258 about 8 hours ago .. then it steadily dropped .. now 6.9744 ..

i have found this a common occurrence in the last few hours of voting ...
i'm really interested to hear if this happens to other ppl near rollover ..
thankyou in advance for your response .. xx

Statistics
Place: 5 out of 55
Avg (all users): 6.9500
Avg (participants): 6.9310
Avg (non-participants): 7.0000
Views since voting: 591
Views during voting: 71
Votes: 40
Comments: 5
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
 06/08/2022 03:44:41 PM
Fantastic image Roz. Reminds me of “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids” I like the angle you chose. It isolates the most interesting part of his body.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z9
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4E ED
 06/08/2022 12:05:00 PM
I knew this was yours! You make me want to get another macro lens so much. I sold it when I went mirrorless and you make me miss it! Besides the technical ability - which is phenomenal - I envision the sense of peace that comes from knowing the ‘how’: the hunt, the quietness, etc. I just love that feeling I get when I look at your images. I am one of your many 9’s . .

Yes, a plummeting last day vote score seems to be the trend. Such a disappointment to see.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 06/08/2022 05:28:04 AM
Congratulations Roz and another superb insect image.

And yes definitely a common occurrence with the vote drop. Somebody must really hate old people judging by my uno bomber on my FS.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 06/06/2022 02:50:02 AM
Great sharpness, as usual. Nice detail on it's head, and those fangs look deadly!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z8
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8
 06/05/2022 04:25:03 PM
Those are some scary mandibles =:-O Great DOF and detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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