Gentle Nudge

: Gentle Nudge; The Praying Mantis gives the wasp a gentle but firm nudge to let him know he's trespassing. Taken in the wild field next to my home. Thanks for looking, Don; Created by: Donwrob.; Tools Used: RebelXT - 75x300 - Arcsoft; Created on: August 2006; Image Views: 509; Average Views per Day: 0.8; Image Number: 28276

Comments:

Alandrapal from Canada on May 17, 2008 at 3:43 AM said:

Hi Don, am last as usual,- have only just checked to see the results, checked earlier but nothing was announced then, so forgot to look again til just now.

- everyone has already said everything that can be said about this image, and rightly so -- I had a hunch it would win. It's really excellent. Congratulations!

Travlynwomyn from USA on May 10, 2008 at 8:44 AM said:

Congratulations on your win, Don. I gave you a 10 on this when it was first posted - a well-deserved feather in your cap - Vicki

Donwrob from Wintersville, Ohio USA on May 9, 2008 at 3:00 PM said:

Thank you Anne, Jas, Alex and Alan! The congrats are very much appreciated! Don

Alovely from Maine, U.S.A. on May 8, 2008 at 6:50 PM said:

Hi there Don, Congratulations! You captured an outstanding photograph

of this praying mantis. This truly is a winner.

Jas from England on May 8, 2008 at 4:13 PM said:

My, belated, congratulations on your fine contest win Don! It's a wonderfully, clear, macro in every way; great detail in the Praying Mantis, flowers and wasp. Well done! :)

Whittler113 from USA on May 8, 2008 at 1:22 PM said:

Congratulations on your winning entry Don,its an excellent shot.

Bubbalinn from Golden Valley, Arizona. on May 8, 2008 at 12:21 PM said:

Hi Don, My late Congratulations also on your excellent photo. I love how you caught the Mantis looking down and giving the wasp a nudge. Great Job and a well deserved win...

Donwrob from Wintersville, Ohio USA on May 8, 2008 at 7:23 AM said:

Wow! Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the congrats and the kind words! I sure got lucky with this one. It's been a while but I remember that day, and the shot before and after this one were both out of focus from the flower swaying in a gentle breeze. Thanks again, Don

Shutterbug from USA on May 8, 2008 at 6:14 AM said:

Congrats Don, great winning photo!

Carol

Gav from New Zealand on May 8, 2008 at 2:29 AM said:

CONGRATULATIONS It was always going to be a winner. Well done, You deserve the accolades.

Tmr8 from New Zealand on May 8, 2008 at 1:52 AM said:

Don I agree with Alfresco there was no question this image would win. A big huge congrats.

Azkul from USA on May 8, 2008 at 12:38 AM said:

I'm really glad this image won the wildlife contest. It's one of my favorite images on the site. Praying Mantis bugs look wicked evil, and you've captured that aspect really well.

Alfresco from Western NY, USA on May 8, 2008 at 12:14 AM said:

No question that this would be the winner!! This is one of the most impressive wildlife shots I've seen, from the amazing content to the exceptional sharpness and clarity. Congratulations!

Bruce

Tmr8 from New Zealand on May 4, 2008 at 6:58 AM said:

this is impressive. Great clear colourful detailed capture. One to be proud of Don

Karenmoen from United States of America on Apr 24, 2008 at 6:29 AM said:

Incredible shot capturing interaction between two different species. The lighting is really nice and the clear background puts the emphasis where it should be--on this incredible moment. Well done! This should published in a nature magazine.

Anne from USA on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:06 AM said:

This is such a fantastic picture!!! I love it! The strength of the Mantis as it nudges the wasp!*LOL* I am so afraid of wasps that it did my soul good to see that the Praying Mantis is not afraid of them. *g* The brightness of the flowers adds to the beauty, also! Great picture, Don. (I couldn't resist commenting again.) *LOL*

TravlynWomyn from Midland, Virginia for one more week on Apr 10, 2007 at 5:36 PM said:

Don, this is amazing. I'm in total awe. Absolutely fantastic capture. I had to read through all the posts as I had the same question when I saw it - did the wasp get away?!!!! I'm glad it did in some ways, but have already discovered two of the blighters trying to build nests on my RV - without paying any rent!!!!! (Okay - my own laptop is in the shop and all I can do is look at images on Mike's laptop as I go through computer withdrawal and think of my next ideas to work on when I get it back!!!) Vicki

Wmc from Den CO on Feb 24, 2007 at 2:07 AM said:

Excellant! thats it

AshleyElizabeth from New York on Sep 19, 2006 at 8:29 PM said:

You got an amazing shot of this praying mantis .

Anne from West Virginia on Aug 29, 2006 at 9:01 AM said:

Thank you!! It has been a long time since I saw a praying mantis. I reveled in the joy of seeing this one and enjoyed the story of the wasp who got away. *grin* even though I am allergic to them.Great shot!! And you had the perfect title. *g*

Don (donwrob) from Ohio on Aug 22, 2006 at 11:07 AM said:

Thanks Shawna for all the nice comments! To answer your question. What happened was the wasp turned and walked the other direction after being nudged, the mantis then poked him in on the backside and he flew away. Not the outcome I had hoped for, but that's it. A lucky day for the wasp. Thanks again, Don

buzymomof2 from So Cal on Aug 21, 2006 at 6:43 PM said:

What a great macro Don! I would say that your time in the field waiting for something spectacular to happen paid off! Great work! My only question is, how does the story end? Did the wasp fly away or did the mantis have dinner?

~Shawna

Don (donwrob317) from Ohio on Aug 17, 2006 at 8:47 PM said:

Thanks everyone! I was very pleased with some of the mantis shots I got from this guy. This one was my favorite though. I watched him for over an hour hoping to catch him feeding. In an hours time he only covered about 6 inches of travel. They are fascinating creatures to watch. I can't believe you haven't seen one Alandra. I guess I take them for granted, they are not too hard to find around here. Thanks again all, Don

Alandra from westcoast Canada on Aug 17, 2006 at 6:06 AM said:

excellent macro of the mantis and wasp, Don! Very interesting also, as have never seen a mantis in real life.

Talsi from WNC on Aug 16, 2006 at 11:27 PM said:

Excellent focus and detail. Great shot.

Whittler from Maine on Aug 16, 2006 at 8:00 PM said:

WOW!! what a great capture,I guess the mantis didn't want the hornet for lunch.lol

Shutterbug from Maine on Aug 16, 2006 at 7:45 PM said:

Also great title to the photo.

Carol

Shutterbug from Maine on Aug 16, 2006 at 7:44 PM said:

Awesome photo of the praying mantis and wasp.I can see the eyes on both.Great capture!!!

Carol