Swamp Metalmark – Calephelis muticum

insects, Lepidoptera, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/125 sec., ISO-640

These special butterflies, endangered or threatened across much of their small range, have their stronghold in the state of Missouri. These images were taken in St. Francis Co., MO.

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/80 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/80 sec., ISO-640

Hawn State Park – Orchid Valley

landscape, native plants, WGNSS Field Trips
Orchid Valley – 20 mm focal length equivalent, 1/60 sec., ISO-160, Aperture value not recorded
Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-pulpit- 20 mm focal length equivalent, 1/15 sec., ISO-640, Aperture value not recorded
Rhododendron prinophyllum (roseshell azalea) – 20 mm focal length equivalent, 1/40 sec., f/11, ISO-250

Orchids of Missouri – Green Adder’s Mouth (Malaxis unifolia)

Missouri's Orchids, native plants
Green Adder’s Mouth Orchid, 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/16, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Green Adder’s Mouth Orchid, 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/16, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Green Adder’s Mouth Orchid, 20 mm focal length equivalent, f/8, 1/80 sec., ISO-640
Green Adder’s Mouth Orchid, 403 mm focal length equivalent, f/16, 1/80 sec., ISO-640
Green Adder’s Mouth Orchid, 403 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/80 sec., ISO-640

Wasp Mantidfly – Neither a Wasp, a Mantid, nor a Fly!

insects, macro, Neuroptera, wildlife, wildlife photography

 

Wasp Mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea) 234mm focal length equivalent, f/16, 1/125 sec., ISO-640, with flash

That’s right, this special one visited my home garden one afternoon and allowed me to grab some shots. The mantidfly are categorized in the order Neuroptera along with the lacewings.

Probably obvious, this species is believed to mimic the paper wasps (Polistes) as a potential deterrent to predation. Without a close glance, it would be easy to mistake this species for a wasp with the potential to deliver a nasty sting.

As if their appearance wasn’t crazy enough, larvae of the Mantispinae, the subfamily this species belongs to, feed by paristizing spiders and their eggs!

Wasp Mantidfly (Climaciella brunnea) 234mm focal length equivalent, f/16, 1/125 sec., ISO-640, with flash

-OZB

Missouri Orchids – Purple Fringless

macro, Missouri's Orchids, native plants
Purple Fringless Orchid (Platanthera peramoena) 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/6.3, 1/125 sec. ISO-160, focus stack of four exposures
Purple Fringless Orchid (Platanthera peramoena) 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/6.3, 1/80 sec. ISO-250, focus stack of five exposures
Purple Fringless Orchid with Eastern Pondhawk, 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/6.3, 1/160 sec. ISO-125

Eastern Collared Lizard

herps, WGNSS Field Trips, wildlife, wildlife photography
Eastern Collared Lizard – female. 520 mm focal length equivalent, f/11, 1/160 sec. ISO-200

These photos were taken on a WGNSS Nature Photography Group field trip into the St. Francois Mountains in early June, 2019.

Eastern Collared Lizard – female. 520 mm focal length equivalent, f/8, 1/200 sec. ISO-160

Along with a couple of female eastern collared lizards, we found quite a few other herps of interest.

Eastern Collared Lizard – female. 406 mm focal length equivalent, f/6.3, 1/320 sec. ISO-200

These lizards are really great photographic subjects. They are relatively easy to photograph, allowing for watching while they bask in the sunlight of a clear day without much manipulation or interference necessary.