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Mr. Elephant Beetle
Mr. Elephant Beetle
sherpet


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Collection: Macro
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
Location: Our garden
Date: Oct 3, 2008
Galleries: Animals, Macro
Date Uploaded: Oct 2, 2008

Viewed: 981
Comments: 25
Favorites: 1 (view)

 Here is a close up 'macro' style of a Elephant beetle, that Peter found in our garden.

These tough critters, have very hard shells. The head does look like a helmet with a hook. Many do think they also look like an elephant, especially with that trunk off its head. That is why they are called 'Elephant' beetles.

I learned to get over my fear of beetles as I love to photograph them, especially these critters. You will be amazed, when I tell you that they 'hiss' at you loudly, every time you touch them.

I now have to rely on Peter to collect the bugs and also the flowers from my garden. It is sometimes to hard for me to climb down 7 stairs, to get to the bottom of my tropical garden.

He is my Hero.....

It is actually on a long stem of a Australian native plant, actually, the seed pod stem of the native grass plant.

Here is the plant from a photo in my portfolio.



I have turned the seed pod to a side ways position for the above photo. and keep it in my dried seed pods plant collection, for photography.

Here is another image of the same grass plant.....

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AuthorThread
 11/03/2008 09:28:08 AM
Wow, he is fierce looking. Good detail and I like the background color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/27/2008 05:15:00 PM
Excellent shot, perfect focus and lighting. I like the "rugged terrain" you put him on.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/15/2008 05:47:24 AM
Incredible detail in this. I particularly like the sheen captured on the head of the beetle. It almost looks to me as though it's surrounded by fire at a first glance. The background colours go so well with the colours of the plant on which it's sitting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/12/2008 11:41:20 PM
That thing is just creepy! The colors are fantastic, and the black and orange fit the subject perfectly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/12/2008 02:33:41 AM
I personally don't like those bugs, but I think you did a great job with these one, good focus and nice composition, the background really adds to it ;)

Message edited by author 2008-10-12 02:33:54.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/06/2008 07:13:24 PM
That is quite some beast! Glad they are not 6 feet tall! Nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2008 04:29:51 PM
Wow... what a great shot! So much detail to look at! I love the idea of using the scrapbooking squares behind the shot for the color... I think the consistency in color really helps here for the shot as a whole.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2008 08:44:55 AM
Wow, that's an interesting little critter! Looks really cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/04/2008 04:54:54 AM
These are amazing Beetles - congrats on your close up's and you had better make Peter a cup of Tea for all his effort in collecting them for you :- )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 08:38:29 PM
Very sharp with great detail right on the head and shoulders? What I mean are the hairs. the blur of his legs I'm assuming are because he is running to get away from you, I like the effect it creates. It makes it real and not static in any way.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 10:53:32 AM
OMG that thing is Hideous and Lovely at the sametime!

Amazing details in the light on his wing and head armour.

Great Shot Shez
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 08:56:52 AM
Lovely details and colors. Amazing details. And you managed to not blow out the reflections n the bug's head. GReat job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 08:51:53 AM
ACK_ get me outa here !!!!!
Seriously-amazing macro of this creature & bless Peter for his help :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 08:29:19 AM
Lovely detail and lighting in this image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 06:07:51 AM
Lovely detail on the beetle, he is a funny looking chap!
Really like the colouring in the shot and the clarity is amazing. Its great to be able to see so much detail on something that I wouldnt be getting within touching distance of! (Bugs are fascinating but they scare me)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 05:29:25 AM
i think carapace is the word .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 05:28:30 AM
i opened this again shez ..
it really is THE most excellent image .. the colours are so vibrant .. love that shiney look on his wotever .. cant think of the word and now i've got to go coz the oven timer's going off .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 03:02:19 AM
THANK YOU everyone, and yes, it is good to be back in another side challenge.....
 10/03/2008 02:54:37 AM
What an interesting insect. I wonder what it uses those horns and tusks for. You captured the detail perfectly: the black shine of its shell, and its furry chest, and the lovely seed pods. I really like the color of the background, and the DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/03/2008 02:48:32 AM
Hey Shez - nice to see your eyeball firmly fixed in the back of your camera again. Mr. Elephant is just fantastic. All the credit, of course, goes to Pete for finding him. lol Looking forward to seeing more. xoxoxo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2008 11:14:32 PM
That is a very impressive looking critter. I like the clarity in this, especially in the hairs around the legs. In the thumb, I could not tell if the split in the seed pod right behind the head was part of the bug, but in the full size, I see that it is not.
I am happy to see you back to shooting in your garden again.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2008 11:03:21 PM
Just correcting the blue spot and unloading and replacing this image right now.....

Originally posted by pjangel:
Shez, very nice work with that 180mm, as usual!!
The coloring is very good and I like the DoF. I'm not sure what the blue circle is towards the bottom just right of center.
10/02/2008 10:51:28 PM
hey shez .. BRILLIANT !!.. fantastic detail, excellent colours .. perfect .. :)x
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2008 10:43:52 PM
Shez, very nice work with that 180mm, as usual!!
The coloring is very good and I like the DoF. I'm not sure what the blue circle is towards the bottom just right of center.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/02/2008 10:28:37 PM
WOW!!! Very nice!!! What is it on? Looks like another animal!!! That would be insane!!! Haha! Love the colors and the clarity of the beetle.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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