Most of us tend to ignore insects other than when we swat mosquitoes or watch the butterflies in our gardens. However, when you take a close look at insects, most show exquisite forms and beautiful, iridescent colors. Now that the summer months are here, I have plenty of six legged subjects for photography.
During a recent trip to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and east Texas, I took advantage of the wealth of bug life and got several nice macro shots of insects. Dragonflies in particular were in abundance around ditches and other wetlands.
Texas is especially good for dragonflies or Odonates and a good thing too because these beautiful insects are major predators of mosquitoes. Well over 200 species have been recorded in the state and many look very similar.
Here is a close look at one of many darner species that occur in the state.
An even closer look at its eyes!
This one was waiting to fly out and snatch a mosquito.
This elegant darner stood out on account of its jewel-like yellow colors.
A closer look at this rich yellow darner.
This darner species had striking, big blue eyes!
Ladybugs have also brightened up gardens and the undergrowth in many places. The red carapace looks even brighter with a close macro look .
A close look at a beautiful Ladybug in south Texas.
Grasshoppers show interesting shades of green and bizarre, staring eyes when seen at very close range.
A bright green Grasshopper.
Not all insects look like jewels when viewed at close range. Some look even uglier than when seen from a distance. This insect is one of the assassin bugs. Named for their method of catching insect prey, they wait until an unwary bug comes close and then stab it with their long, pointed mouth part. If you look close, you can see that stabbing mouth part tucked under its body.
An assassin bug waiting for prey.
With so many insects and few field guides to identify them, I see a lot of bugs that of unidentified. The following might be a flying queen ant but I am not sure.
Possible flying ant from south Texas.
These are just a very few of the insects that can be seen in Texas. No matter where you live, you can probably find dozens of interesting insect species in your own backyard. Take a closer look and you will be surprised at the beauty of some of these bugs.