Gentle Nudge

Mantis

Brandon - Dec 20, 2011 12:47 PM EDT
I really love the detail of the mantis.

floyd - Jun 21, 2009 01:17 AM EDT
wow this is great!

alandrapal - May 17, 2008 03:43 AM EDT
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 - May 10, 2008 08:44 AM EDT
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 - May 09, 2008 03:00 PM EDT
Thank you Anne, Jas, Alex and Alan! The congrats are very much appreciated! Don

A.Lovely - May 08, 2008 06:50 PM EDT
Hi there Don, Congratulations! You captured an outstanding photograph of this praying mantis. This truly is a winner.

Jas - May 08, 2008 04:13 PM EDT
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 - May 08, 2008 01:22 PM EDT
Congratulations on your winning entry Don,its an excellent shot.

bubbalinn - May 08, 2008 12:21 PM EDT
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 - May 08, 2008 07:23 AM EDT
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 - May 08, 2008 06:14 AM EDT
Congrats Don, great winning photo! Carol

GAV - May 08, 2008 02:29 AM EDT
CONGRATULATIONS It was always going to be a winner. Well done, You deserve the accolades.

TMR8 - May 08, 2008 01:52 AM EDT
Don I agree with Alfresco there was no question this image would win. A big huge congrats.

azkul - May 08, 2008 12:38 AM EDT
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 - May 08, 2008 12:14 AM EDT
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 - May 04, 2008 06:58 AM EDT
this is impressive. Great clear colourful detailed capture. One to be proud of Don

Karen Moen - Apr 24, 2008 06:29 AM EDT
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 - Feb 27, 2008 09:06 AM EDT
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*

Guest - Apr 10, 2007 05:36 PM EDT
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

Guest - Feb 24, 2007 02:07 AM EDT
Excellant! thats it

Guest - Sep 19, 2006 08:29 PM EDT
You got an amazing shot of this praying mantis .

Guest - Aug 29, 2006 09:01 AM EDT
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*

Guest - Aug 22, 2006 11:07 AM EDT
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

Guest - Aug 21, 2006 06:43 PM EDT
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

Guest - Aug 17, 2006 08:47 PM EDT
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

Guest - Aug 17, 2006 06:06 AM EDT
excellent macro of the mantis and wasp, Don! Very interesting also, as have never seen a mantis in real life.

Guest - Aug 16, 2006 11:27 PM EDT
Excellent focus and detail. Great shot.

Guest - Aug 16, 2006 08:00 PM EDT
WOW!! what a great capture,I guess the mantis didn't want the hornet for lunch.lol

Guest - Aug 16, 2006 07:45 PM EDT
Also great title to the photo. Carol

Guest - Aug 16, 2006 07:44 PM EDT
Awesome photo of the praying mantis and wasp.I can see the eyes on both.Great capture!!! Carol