Isopod with Lichen and Noise by Chipka
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Description
This picture has been sitting in my files for quite some time. It’s more than a year old and taken in the days when a particular truck-yard in Chicago seemed like a new and almost interesting place. I’d delayed posting it as I was initially displeased with the rough, grainy quality of the shot. I liked the colors, however, and continued to return to it. Other images always made it into my gallery, but this always lingered on the back burner, like a ghost.
Now that Chicago is buried in snow: one of those semi-normal occurrences we forget about (until it happens) I found myself going back through my files and looking for something without snow in it. I actually love the bleakness of winter, but it really plays havoc with one’s gallery in terms of color. I wanted something not exactly white…something that looked alive. And when I came across this sowbug, I decided to go ahead a post it. There’s something in the shape of the picture that I like, and a sowbug as well.
I have many woodlice in my gallery, but most of them are pillbugs, rather than their sowbug cousins. I like the fact that I’m rectifying that situation as I love these critters as much as I like their shinier, more overtly-armored cousins. I’m also quite surprised that I managed to get this shot at all. Sowbugs are incredibly fast and since they’re oh-so-slightly more flexible than their more heavily armored cousins, they can actually flatten themselves in a wider variety of crevaces—as this one did moments after my shutter clicked. This is the only non-blurred, remotely woodlouse-ish image I was able to capture of this little critter. I remember my sense of exasperation and amazement that so small a model could be so stubborn. I like what I was able to manage, however—there’s a rawness to it that appeals to me, visually.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great remainder of the weekend. For those of you watching the Superbowl, may the team you’re cheering for win…or if you’re like my friend Štěpán—hoping to catch a broadcast of the game from the Netherlands (he’s visiting family there,” may the commercial you hope to see at halftime air without difficulty. Yep…I have interesting international friends, interested in the Super Bowl, not for the sports, but for a particular commercial premiering during the game. I think, that Štěpán and I get along, precisely because I would watch the Super Bowl, simply to see an anticipated commercial. So there you have it, a sowbug, lichen, and a lot of visual noise from low light conditions.
Comments (23)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
NefariousDrO
I love this shot, the critter looks so truly alien it's fascinating.
jocko500
do look wonderful image with the noise. make it loo older than it is.
MagikUnicorn Online Now!
Love it...Awesome closeup
CoreyBlack
Ripley: "You admire the danm thing, don't you?" Ash: "I admire it's purity; it's mind is unclouded by conscience and delusions of morality." Dialogue from 1979's "Alien." Everytime I see one of your bug/creature photos, that bit of dialogue goes through my head. I'm not sure why, but you have such an afinity for these little guys. Yet another great shot, and this one really DOES look alien. More so than some of the others. Great capture, and the slight graininess only adds to the overall feel.
MrsRatbag
The graininess gives this shot the feeling of one of those Nessie or Sasquatch shots, the sense of shooting in a hurry under less than desirable conditions just to get some evidence...but there's enough clarity and light to see the creature clearly with all her fearsome legs and mandibles! Great detective work, Chip!
evielouise
ok I am itchy now lol I have a hard time looking at bugs crawly things I have always been that way:: however, no probelm with the shot it is awesome !~
MrsLubner
Hate to say it but I'm a bigger pillbug fan. We used to coax them out of their sandy holes with a small stick and watch them roll up. Anything living in the woodpile was generally something that bit, stung and/or poisoned you. This is a great shot, though. Plenty of detail and the grain makes it look more ruddy as they seem to be.
beachzz
The way you photograph these little bugs, you make them seem like alien life forms. They look like they're clothed in metal and ready to destroy the earth!! I"m going to be very careful where I walk from now on!!
auntietk
I'm glad you rescued this from the back burner. The composition is fantastic ... it makes a good shot into something quite extraordinary (and quite possibly something extraterrestrial)! Excellent image!
Simpleworks
This is a great macro. A look into a bug's life.
durleybeachbum
As you will guess I like it..quite a cutie in it's own way, and this is a great composition!
helanker
It is so nice to se this in its own little world. No wonder it doesnt like to be disturbed. :-) Awesome shot and compo. Dont forget to meet my Brumbakles. ;-) BTW I eventually read second part of Between Roads. It was Fabulous.
KateBlack10
Chip this is a great shot - I love everyone's comments and can't really add more other than Corey is spot on - you have an affinity for these creatures and really bring us into their world...great composition and love how "alien" the critter looks
jac204
You sure have been hit by show there, haven't you? I've learned a little about these creatures I used to see in the wood pile thanks to your posts. Thanks for sharing.
mgtcs
This is an excellent shot Chip, so may details, and a gorgeous writing!
Bothellite
I honor your fascination/knowledge with 'bugs'. And bringing out, or back, last Summer's photos is perfect timing! It won't be long now and we can come alive again with Spring.
icerian
You shows uncredible shapes of life. Thank you for sharing it.
sandra46
intriguing image! really fascinating!
flavia49
fabulous as always
RodS
Interesting macro. Well done!
praep
Great shot my friend.
danapommet
Way behind but have to comment on this awesome isopod. Dana