By now you know that my son is my biggest source of finding new and unusual creatures to photograph.
He came up with this weird black bug for me.
I was hoping I could photograph him through the Pom glass he was safely placed in, but as you can see the water spots got in the way. After a short time I gathered my courage and stifled my fear and allowed my son to release the ugly critter so I could try to get more proper shots.
Just look at him! Isn’t he terrifying?! His butt is so long and he can curl it or stretch it out, strange! I don’t think he has a stinger, but he has wings so I was extremely nervous the entire shoot.
He kind of looks like an alien, he’s such a freak! I’m so glad Haden kept a watchful eye on him and kept me safe!
What the heck is he?! And what will I do when my son no longer finds these weird mysteries for me to examine?
UPDATE: Through Pamela's comment I found out what kind of critter this is. It is a female Pelecinid Polyturator or Pelecinid Wasp, they lay eggs directly on scarab larvae buried in the soil. Ew.
Great your son finds you these cool little dudes! I think he looks like he is having a tantrum in that last shot.
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me the shivers, eeek! Great pics though!
ReplyDeletehe looks like a cross between a wasp and scorpion...and i've often thought that science fiction creatures came straight from the insect world. lol i'm like you...love to photograph em, but would be terrified if one got on me. yikes!!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen that before. Where did your son find it?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that he brings creatures to you to examine and shoot pictures of!! And who knows, maybe he'll keep doing it even when he's big. Wouldn't that be a gift?!
ReplyDeleteAs for your pictures, that second shot, water spots and all, wigs. me. out.
my first thought was : UGLY - but then I thought, well, that's not too nice to say to Lisa fabulous shots!!
ReplyDelete(you understand right?)
Creepy yet cute!
ReplyDeleteChildren get fascinated by almost anything, don't they?
Nice shots from all angles.
He's from that Halloween classic... The Nightmare before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOoops. Enough will LIttle Miss Muffet.
ReplyDeleteI forget that computers remember everything.
Seriously I think it is a Giant Black Ichneumon
oh nice photos - my photo story friday features a bug too and my son come to think of it.
ReplyDeleteI have no clue what this is.. but that first picture weirded me out..
ReplyDeleteGreat shots though..
This is one really freaky lookin' critter!!! Believe it or not, I swear I actually saw one of those guys on my picnic table this summer. I can't remember whether I took a pic of him or not...will have to look. Your shots came out great. You need to tell Hayden that he must stay close to home...his mother needs him to find bugs!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're very lucky to have a son like that, and to live in a part of this world where there are lots and lots of these strange little creatures around! And to have the right camera and lenses AND last but not least, to have the TALENT to make these amazing pictures !
ReplyDeleteWe on the other hand are the lucky ones that can see them through your blog!
Wow!! I've never seen a beastie quite like that. Your photos are a daily reminder to me of the sheer wonder and beauty (and yes, weirdness) that exists all around. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteThat's a neat looking bug, I don't think I've ever seen one before.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteMy son just squashes whatever bugs he finds :(
He must have seen me do that once. Its not something I do often but he must have seen me the few times I did.
Despite these fantastic close-ups of the critter, I can't ID him...I hope I never have the occasion of meeting him either!
ReplyDeleteHmm, He is rather creepy. It kinda looks like that long butt of his IS the stinger? Maybe? I don't know what he is either but you make sure and keep him up there! LOL!
ReplyDelete*HUGS*
Woah! Really looks creepy. Some kind of Wasp, I reckon. Good boy, your boy! ;)
ReplyDeleteCheers, Klaus
AWESOME pictures!! You're very talented. And brave.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh. That is one scary bug. I don't think I would have braved it!!!
ReplyDeleteWow he is scary looking! You are a brave woman to photograph it, I would have been screaming! You did a fantastic job though!
ReplyDeleteIck, he is ugly - and looks like an alien! Blech!!
ReplyDeleteI wish you many more years of bug examination with your son... :-)
How lucky you are to have "bugs" to bond you together!
Wow, fab pics! That bug is very creepy - I am in awe of your bravery!
ReplyDeleteYIKES! A weird black bug is soooooooooooooooooo RIGHT!!!! I'm soooooooooooooooooooo NOT a bug girl!!!! Frogs, Lizards and Turtles I'm okay with but not bugs - especially not spiders or wasp/bees!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI linked to you the other day in one of my post!!!! =)
What awesome macro shots - I feel sure I'll have nightmares tonight!
ReplyDelete:-)
Wow! He is one icky looking bug! He made a great model though - neat pictures!! Happy PSF!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky your son is a photo assistant Lisa! Mine likes to squash my subjects. :O
ReplyDeleteUgh, he is pretty weird looking!! Alien for sure!! :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure what he is but he looks as though he can bite! Brilliant photos.
ReplyDeletecool photos. scary bug.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool - I should show my Science Teacher hubby the photo maybe he'll know what it is.
ReplyDeleteYea, he's wierd alright. Wouldn't want him gettin close to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat photography!!!
Omg he is seriously creepy!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures of it but it still gives me the heebie geebies. *shiver*
ReplyDeleteWow. He's really crazy scary looking. Great pictures... I can't believe you let him out just to get a good shot. I admire your dedication. I wonder what he is?
ReplyDeleteI photographed a similar critter when we were in Ohio. I've been meaning to identify it. If it's not the same kind, it's very close.
ReplyDeleteeww that is a icky bug!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is one creepy looking bug!
ReplyDeleteugh! I really can't stand bugs!!!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I am glad that you live there and I live here when you have bugs like that creeping around! Ewww is right!
ReplyDeletefirst time for me to see one! it's like a freak hybrid of a fly, dragonfly, mosquito, wasp & grasshopper!
ReplyDeletei'll call it "WASQUITO FLYHOPPER".... hehehe...
It IS a wasp! I saw one at my place too--and it was so crazy looking but by the time I got the camera, it took off. That stinger is LONG.
ReplyDeleteI've seen one of those too. Dear Pamela: what does he do with that BIG BLACK STINGER looking thing? That's what I need to know.
ReplyDeleteyour nature photos are AMAZING. Only reminds me how much I need to get a camara with macro lens. I'm adding you to my blog roll. Also, is your blog listed on the Nature Blog Network? If not, then it should be.
ReplyDeletelater
What a brave soul you are to release this weird black bug to photograph it and share … and how ‘kewl’ that Pamela identified it for you. I’m with you however … ew!
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,