KCollett
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A few more macro-style images from my visit to a local park back in June.
This White-spotted Sawyer beetle was sitting motionless on a fallen tree, and stayed that way for quite a time, even though I had the lens stuck in its fuzzy face. After deciding it must actually be dead, or very sick, it suddenly flew off, startling me!
As is obvious from it's appearance, it is a member of the long-horned beetle family. This specimen was about 2.5 cm long (not including antennae), and came complete with mites. Mites seem to be a common affliction as I've seen other pictures where they are enjoying the free ride (and a meal I suppose). One other neat bit of trivia I have read about this beetle is that it is attracted to the odor of terpineols, which is emitted by damaged trees. Terpineols, or a similar material, are part of the chemical potpourri that makes up the oilsand/tarsands in Alberta. There are areas where this oily material is naturally exposed and the beetles can often be found in numbers in those areas as a result.
1. This dorsal view nicely shows the two white spot as the base of the wing covers (they look like a half moon). The wing covers can vary a fair bit in how mottling they have. You can also see the mites on the thorax.
2. Lateral view.
3. A tighter dorsal view. The mite details are more visible.
4. A better view of the mites (but not the best photo, a bit under exposed).
5. In your face Sawyer! I had to take the lens hood off to get this close. Had tubes on the 100mm.
All pics were hand held using a 7D, 100mm macro, & tubes on some. I was using an off camera flash.
Comments are most welcome.
Cheers!
Ken
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You really have been posting a wide variety of genres these past few months, I'm really impressed with your versatility, you make it look easy 
2 is my pick, but I like the mite detail in 4 too. So do mites get even small mites on them? 
~ Ron