Lens-Artists Challenge #393: Lucky Shot
Patience is unlikely to be what one relies on for lucky shots. Rather, you need to be in the right place at the right time. All the shots here were unexpected captures. I’ll tell you the story in each photo. Furthermore, if these shots are any indication, spring and love are very much in the air — and apparently, so is everything else. I felt like a voyeur interrupting moments of bliss. If that is true, the subjects were exhibitionists, for they didn’t seem to mind my presence one bit.
This week, Sofia challenges us “to see how luck translates into, sometimes, our best shots… These are the shots that make our day because they are unexpected.” I couldn’t agree with her more if I tried. Be sure to check out her post to see her lucky shots. Here are mine, and they all have to do with wildlife’s moments of bliss.
The featured image happened last year when I visited the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, an hour away from Austin. That park is full of surprises. As I approached a pond with a group of naturalists, we noticed the large number of odonates flying around. There were also some couples doing more than flying. These two Green Darners (Anax junius) stopped at this reed to mate. Notice how they do it. The male first transfers sperm to secondary genitalia near the base of his abdomen, then grabs the female by the back of her neck using claspers at the tip of his abdomen. She curves her abdomen forward to make contact — forming the gorgeous heart-shaped “wheel position” you see here. The pair may remain coupled for several minutes, sometimes while still airborne.
The next shot was taken on the boardwalk in Port Aransas, just outside our rental. It was prime time for Monarch (Danaus plexippus) migration. This couple was mating and flying at the same time — now that’s coordination and determination! At some point, they stopped to rest on Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) flowers. I took advantage of that to capture a few images before they took off again. Courtship begins in the air, where the male pursues and nudges the female down to a landing spot. Once coupled, they can remain joined for up to 16 hours. Here’s the wild part: sperm transfer doesn’t even begin until nightfall, regardless of how long they’ve been mating. Talk about playing the long game.
Now, let’s jump to this week. I had gone to the San Gabriel Park’s Sunken Garden to get some flower macros. Again, I was lucky to spot these two Giant Leaf-Footed Bugs (Acanthocephala declivis) enjoying some afternoon delight on Prickly Sowthistle (Sonchus asper) flowers. Males compete fiercely for mates — sometimes literally kicking rivals out of the way with those distinctive leaf-shaped hind legs. Courtship consists of brief, rapid-fire body vibrations the male performs while sidling up to the female. Once she’s receptive, the pair connects end-to-end and can stay locked together for up to 90 minutes, often continuing to feed throughout. Efficient multitaskers!
Finally, the last image happened right here in my backyard in the middle of the week. I was minding my own business in the house when, in the corner of my eye, I spotted some movement outside. I grabbed my Nikon P950 to get some shots from inside the house right away. After that, I went outside to capture more images. The Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) couple ignored me completely. I went back inside to switch cameras, returning with my Sony a7RV and a Tamron 28-300 mm zoom lens. More shots as I got closer — still no reaction. So I went back in one more time to switch lenses, returning with my Sony 100 mm macro GM lens, fully expecting them to be gone. They were not. Check out the dynamics of this couple: the tail’s intertwine, the neck bite — all of it. A male Green Anole courts a female with head-bobbing, push-ups, and vigorous flashes of his bright pink dewlap (that expandable throat fan). If the female arches her neck — the reptilian equivalent of “you have my attention” — the male bites the back of her neck to hold her in position during mating. You can see that in the photo. The whole encounter can last anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes, which explains their complete indifference to my swapping cameras three times. This shot was captured at a mere one foot (30 cm) away!
In all of these cases, the action I witnessed was not a brief encounter. All animals took their sweet time and completely ignored me. I counted my blessings for capturing these captivating wildlife moments. Luck was with me, don’t you think?
Patti’s challenge got us all sharing great images highlighting how we compose using the foreground, middle ground, and background. I am grateful for the beautiful images you shared last week. I hope you will join Sofia’s challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, John will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Dragonfly, Giant Leaf-Footed Bug, Green Anole Lizard, Green Darner, Lens-Artists, Macros, Monarch, Parks, San Gabriel Park, Sunken Garden, Teravista, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Pamela Zmija Photography
Egidio, awesome shots! You certainly do have luck finding those mating in nature. Fascinating as well!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Pam. I guess it’s that time of the year for wildlife to mate.
I. J. Khanewala
Superb catches. First, to spot them, and next, to make such lovely images out of them. Proper spring it is in your part of the world
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, I.J.
Leya
Oh, these are all fabulous captures, Egidio! Love is captivating and I can see why they would not be interrupted by you and your camera. We are all grateful for your eye and timing. The facts enhances the photos and I am so impressed by your skills!
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, thank you for these kind words.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
A fabulous series Egídio and amazing how you even had time to change lenses! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Xenia. 🙏
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Xenia.
Anita
Wonderful series, Egídio. Your lucky moments turned into beautifully observed and beautifully captured scenes. Nature clearly rewarded your presence on each of those occasions.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anita. I often think nature helps me on shots like those.
Steve Schwartzman
That’s quite a mating marathon you led us through. In the picture of the two leaf-footed bugs, I counted only three legs. Presumably the left leg of the bug at the lower left is hidden behind a sow thistle bud.
Egidio Leitao
Probably so. I had two other mating shots I captured the next day, but they’ll be for another post. 😀 Thank you.
shoestringdiary
Very interesting shots! Excellent capture on all of them also.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much.
Leanne Cole
A different take on this Egidio, love it. Or should I say love is in the air.
Egidio Leitao
Hehehe. Glad you liked it. Thank you
Writing to Freedom
These are fun and fabulous photos Egidio. I guess spring love is in the air. I’m amazed they ignored you and continued, especially the lizards.
Egidio Leitao
I was, too. It must be something in the air. Friday, at a different hike, I photographed two other insect couples on a flower. Spring love is everywhere. Thanks for the comment.
Rupali
Great timing, great shots.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rupali. I lucked out being at the right place and time.
Rupali
Cheers!
Joanne
Totally fabulous! Isn’t courtship wonderful? I’ll echo others’ comments – The opportunities are lucky; the images are captured with skill. Good work!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for these kind words, Joanne.
Toonsarah
These are all wonderful shots and perfect for this theme! But the pair of Green Anoles definitely steals the show!
Egidio Leitao
I agree. I see them around a lot, but that was a first. Thanks for writing.
photobyjohnbo
I’d rather be lucky than skillful, but I see you have both skills covered in your selection, Egidio! Wonderful photos.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment, John.
Teresa
Love these ones. A bit of luck but mostly great photography!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Teresa.
Sofia Alves
Talk about luck! These are fantastic photos, Egídio and such a fun and surprising take on the challenge. I’ve just read your reply to Anne’s comment. I’ve had a similar experience and nearly posted it for this challenge. In the end, the ants shot won the place.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. That ant shot is beautiful.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Ben fatto! 👏
Egidio Leitao
Grazie.
bushboy
What fun Egidio. Great title and photos. The look on the lizard is excellent. I usually get into trouble for posting X rated nature content 😂
Egidio Leitao
LOL Oh no, the WP police is coming! Thanks, Brian.
Tina Schell
“Sweet time” indeed Egidio! Goodness that poor female anole must have quite the stiff neck when all is said and done!! Your monarch image is amazing and I also loved your opener. I will forgive your being a voyeur because I know you are a scientist and a photographer first LOL. Fantastic post, the clarity of these nature images is astounding.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Tina. I enjoy making those discoveries in nature.
rootedhabitat
Interesting information about these neighbors and their mating behaviors.
Egidio Leitao
I wanted to learn more about their practices. Thanks for writing.
Pepper
Absolutely wonderful! Might be the right place at the right time, but you also had to looking and ready to make such great images. 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Pepper. How I noticed the lizards in the backyard is still a mystery to me.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, you certainly were in the right place at the right time to capture these amazing photos. The couples were too focused to worry about you with your camera!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. It was my lucky day with each photo.
lois
Since a few years ago, when I brought the last of the outdoor cats I had been feeding indoors, the lizard population has exploded. I felt so sorry for the lone lizard on my front porch this week. After much head-bobbing and flashing his dewlap, not a female responded. I will be keeping a watch, though.
Egidio Leitao
Yes, hopefully, he’ll find a mate. Thanks for writing.
margaret21
You present a crowded field of lucky moments. But your camera was the the ready! And that last one – what a story to accompany that fabulous shot.
Egidio Leitao
I had to tell the complete story for the last one. I always get shots with whatever camera I have. Then, I try to push my luck with subsequent shots. Thank you, Margaret.
Anne Sandler
My goodness Egidio, how lucky you are to have captured nature at it’s best! Your photos are so interesting and educational. You have a sharp eye! Thanks!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. Sometimes, I only see these surprises when I get home. Just yesterday, I was photographing a bug in a flower. When I got home, they were mating. I didn’t see the second one because of their size.