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Lawn Shrimp
This is a macro photographer's worst nightmare. You first notice it as it flings itself about a foot into the air like some obscene giant flea. It will continue to fling itself around until it manages to find cover. Alternatively it will scurry rapidly away into some dark crevice. It's carapace is slick and shiny and will put any diffusion to the test. Even it's eye is covered by a thin layer making finding the best focus point difficult. If you do manage to get it to keep still long enough for a shot, it seems to enjoy rolling on it's side or curling up under itself, making it next to impossible to get a decent composition.
Also known as a Land or Wood Hopper, this amphipod is an invasive species to the UK, originally from Australia or New Zealand. It's a terrestrial crustacean, as is the woodlouse, except flattened from the side rather than the top, giving it a shrimp-like appearance. They lack a waxy layer on their shells as found in insects, so struggle to retain water in dry conditions, yet susceptible to drowning if soaked with too much. They can often be seen after a storm as they search for the ideal moist conditions. I found these near the pond in the rotting wood and leaves at the bottom of the garden. They are often found in large numbers and their impact on native species is not yet clear. It could be they compete for resources with other species that live in rotting vegetation, and this includes springtails. No, not one of my favourite photographic subjects I don't think.
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
I'm not particularly happy with these images. Although I did manage to get a stack (the third one is from 6 images) my diffusor wasn't up to the job. Also I never really got a composition I was happy with, but thought I would share as an interesting find.
This is a macro photographer's worst nightmare. You first notice it as it flings itself about a foot into the air like some obscene giant flea. It will continue to fling itself around until it manages to find cover. Alternatively it will scurry rapidly away into some dark crevice. It's carapace is slick and shiny and will put any diffusion to the test. Even it's eye is covered by a thin layer making finding the best focus point difficult. If you do manage to get it to keep still long enough for a shot, it seems to enjoy rolling on it's side or curling up under itself, making it next to impossible to get a decent composition.
Also known as a Land or Wood Hopper, this amphipod is an invasive species to the UK, originally from Australia or New Zealand. It's a terrestrial crustacean, as is the woodlouse, except flattened from the side rather than the top, giving it a shrimp-like appearance. They lack a waxy layer on their shells as found in insects, so struggle to retain water in dry conditions, yet susceptible to drowning if soaked with too much. They can often be seen after a storm as they search for the ideal moist conditions. I found these near the pond in the rotting wood and leaves at the bottom of the garden. They are often found in large numbers and their impact on native species is not yet clear. It could be they compete for resources with other species that live in rotting vegetation, and this includes springtails. No, not one of my favourite photographic subjects I don't think.
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
Lawn Shrimp by Tim.Garlick, on Flickr
I'm not particularly happy with these images. Although I did manage to get a stack (the third one is from 6 images) my diffusor wasn't up to the job. Also I never really got a composition I was happy with, but thought I would share as an interesting find.
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