p.1 #1 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
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I noticed that this wood creeper crept up a tree at the observation tower I was on in the Amazon Basin of Ecuador. It stopped and pecked on the wood a few times. And it found a well-camouflaged bark mantis when it was halfway covered by foliage. And it moved up a little then it stopped to flip the prey. And it crept up further albeit slower. I was pleading to that bird to get up where there was less or no foliage for me to get a clean shot. And it complied and at a more photogenic spot of the tree, too! A short while later, it was covered again in foliage and then it took off with the prey.
According to Luis, our guide/friend, the bark mantis is quite an exotic species. It is probably rarer than the buff-throated wood creeper. The colors and pattern of the mantis match the bark of the tree extremely well.
The last two images are from a different location at the edge of the Amazon Basin.
Thank you for stopping by and please feel free to leave any feedback,
Joshua
p.1 #2 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
Wow!... This is a really fantastic series.
Thanks for sharing the back story... also, super glad you got a clean shot of the creeper and mantis.
This is a perfect example of the "Red Queen" hypothesis in action.
p.1 #5 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
OwlsEyes wrote:
Wow!... This is a really fantastic series.
Thanks for sharing the back story... also, super glad you got a clean shot of the creeper and mantis.
This is a perfect example of the "Red Queen" hypothesis in action.
bruce
(oh... and you got my vote )
Thank you very much 2X, Bruce! I am glad you like those images.
sum1sgrampa wrote:
Terrific sequence Joshua ! Very well done
Gary
p.1 #14 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
Terrific shots!
Great images of a rare bird, and the bug is interesting too. Glad it's not part of my diet.
IMO, "Clear View" and the one following are the best of an excellent set.
p.1 #15 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
Isn't Nature fascinating! What a rare treat Joshua, wow these are amazing and that mantis is gnarly looking! Beautiful rich cinnamon brown on that bird and the utmost in camo for the mantis though the Creeper wins out here finding it.
I bet you got your heart rate up with this series!
Karl
p.1 #18 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
morris wrote:
3, 6 and 9 are my picks from this lovely set
Morris
Thank you very much, Morris!
dclark wrote:
Terrific shots!
Great images of a rare bird, and the bug is interesting too. Glad it's not part of my diet.
IMO, "Clear View" and the one following are the best of an excellent set.
Dave
I am glad you like the images, Dave and thank you for your kind comment!
Karl Witt wrote:
Isn't Nature fascinating! What a rare treat Joshua, wow these are amazing and that mantis is gnarly looking! Beautiful rich cinnamon brown on that bird and the utmost in camo for the mantis though the Creeper wins out here finding it.
I bet you got your heart rate up with this series!
Karl
Yes, it sure is! And, thank you for your kind words, Karl! The camo of that mantis was really great although in this case it was no match to the bird’s eyesight from that close.
p.1 #20 · Exotic prey of a buff-throated wood creeper
bobbytan wrote:
You lucked out on this one, Joshua! Nicely captured. Voted. Hope Luz caught this too.
Thank you very much, Bobby! Better be lucky than good
birdied wrote:
Wow , Joshua what a set !!! The shots with the mantis are amazing and fascinating. You should be extremely happy and pleased with this set.
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