Crane Fly by Chipka
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Description
They begin their lives as voracious and distinctive larvae: during this stage of their lives, they are called leatherjackets, and—at times—more profoundly vulgar names. They devour the roots of various grasses and dead, brown patches of turf are the most recognizable markers of their presence. As adults, they are recognized as crane flies, though they’re also called by other descriptive names. They are mosquito hawks, to some…daddy-longlegs to others (not to be confused with opiliones, also known—in the USA—as daddy-longlegs.) I’ve come to recognize them as “gollywhoppers.” This third nickname isn’t their most popular, but it is quite colorful and descriptive. Crane flies are large.
I am sure that these insects are likely to influence an alien race in the very near future. Those who commonly read the stories I post in my gallery will probably find themselves greeted by images of long-legged creatures with large black eyes, and delicate, insect snouts ending in a complicated array of feeding appendages and other knuckle-jointed things. Crane flies (like grasshoppers, and various beetles) possess extravagant feeding appendages. Not all crane flies feed during the adult phase of their life cycles, but those that do are nectar eaters. Indeed, the specimen here is probably a nectar feeder as an attempted macro-shot had been aimed at her straw-like feeding tube and attendant “mouth fingers.” That image blurred, however, and so I’m relegated to posting this image as the only record of a long-legged, docile creature with a nice, shiny thoracic carapace.
There’s probably an immense measure of information to convey about this creature, but I have yet to compile any of it in a creative way. I suspect it’s because there will be an intriguing alien species portrayed in some upcoming fictional work; I can feel the vague tingle of a story now…
…and so I’m off to do some plot-harvesting.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all on the verge of a great week.
Comments (27)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
NefariousDrO
Your fascinating with all things insectile has yielded another wonderful photo. The color of this beauty is amazing!
Nathan_Ruby
very cool picture! love the details in this also.
MrsRatbag
This is such a wonderful shot, nevertheless! And yes, I can definitely see a story coming...
RodS Online Now!
It took me forever to convince my wife that these guys are NOT giant mosquitos. I'm still not sure she's convinced... An excellent macro of this cool critter, Chip!
MadameX
Wonderfully colorful shot! And now I'm more informed about this 'mosquito' (I, too, always thought they were just large skeeters...lol). Now, I'll look more carefully when I see one.
PSDuck
In your plot, these things will just have to eat people, of course! If they ate vampires or zombies, they wouldn't be as scary, now, would they?
KatesFriend
Taking this picture out of context, your crane fly seems to have attached itself (perhaps unwittingly) to some other species even more alien than arthropods are to us vertebrates. Are either kind even aware of each other I wonder? Probably not as their own perceptions of time are likely as radically different as their visual perceptions of the present - if they have any. For one, the intruder might well be a fleeting moment like a gust of wind. To the other, the alien might well be part of the landscape for many generations. A really effective shot. I love all the fine detail of this fellows translucent wings. Including the refraction of light.
Lashia
Wow awesome crop and amazing capture of the red colours- thanks for sharing! :)
anaber
He is a wonder with its luxurious orange colour and the legs so amazingly thin and long !!The texture and the details of the wings, like translucid glass are majestic. I read you and YES, i believe in a great story:)I hope he is a friendly giant:))) I love this one very much,too. Great photo, as always!!!
Digitaleagle
Excellent capture and very interesting narrative!
auntietk
That's a super shot! SO clear! I'll look forward to the crane fly universe. They always remind me of a time I was out with a friend for dinner and he speared a piece of lettuce out of his salad and discovered a dead crane fly underneath it. We sent the salad back, got NO apology, and never went back there again.
Feliciti
excellent clear capture of this crane fly !!last days i make a shot of this too ,like her long legs looks really cool !
blinkings
durleybeachbum
This is a great orange colour! I don't think I've seen such a bright specimen of this sort of person before. A super-sharp pic.
flavia49
fantastic image
jophoto
Amazing insect...great color.
helanker
What a beautiful colors on this crane fly.. I havent seen that nice colors on our in DK. Excellent capture Chip :)))
dreampaint
great capture, fine legs, gracil insect, good shot.
belasebok
Excellent photo with amazing details!
CloverLinda
Excellent capture, Great DOF. Perfect angle and information. Thanks for this. Linda.
jayfar
This is a very good shot of this fly.
moochagoo
Very good find. Well done !
Blush
What a stellar image While he is alive and healthy it seems He is holding on to something already read and just hanging there by a thread.. anyhow this is how the image was conveyed in my mind...... Awesome capture..and thanks for the info..and the sitemail:) Hugs Susan~
icerian
Really Beauty this Insect Queen. Lovely shot.
myrrhluz
I remember Crane Flies when I was stationed in England and working on the flight line in the small barrier maintenance huts. When we opened the door to the huts the ubiquitous island winds would send many of the little creatures careening into the barriers, their long legs dangling and wings totally inadequate. Excellent shot and interesting narrative! Wonderful color, detail, and dof. Beautiful capture of his wings.
danapommet
Fantastic capture of this very delicate creature. I will lookfor it in the next SciFi movie that comes out. :o) Dana