Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mystery Eggs

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Troy Bartlett

Egg, ~1mm wide | July 12, 2011 | Victorio Siqueroli Park, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

These curiously textured and patterned eggs were placed on a dried leaf tip. I don’t recall ever seeing anything quite like them. I don’t know what they are, but I’d guess moth eggs.

Some of the ones around the edge are a bit crumpled.

Edge shot, showing crumpling

Here’s a wider view, to give you some context for the placement.

Wider shot, showing placement

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Crypsis Challenge #15 Reveal: Moth

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

Did you find the hidden moth in the last crypsis challenge? If not, here’s where it was hidden.

Moth, Hidden

Moth, Revealed

In natural light it blended in quite well. With a flash though, it really pops out.

40mm wingspan

I thought the eyespot was interesting and I managed to get a closeup before the moth took off.

Eyespot Closeup

I expected this would be an easy challenge. All commenters correctly mentioned the moth. Good job, everyone!

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Harvestman

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Troy Bartlett

January 21, 2011 | Finca La Isla, Limon Province, Costa Rica

Could this be the harvestman equivalent of an ostrich burying its head in the sand? Or maybe it was just trying to get at something to eat.

Hiding? Eating?

After a few shots as I found it, I prodded it into a better position.

Prodded into a better position

It has some interesting “combs” on a few of its rearmost legs.

Comb-like structures on rearmost legs

Dorsolateral view

It’s actually quite small, the body measuring only about 5mm front to back. The longest leg, however, was about 3cm long. I’m not sure what purpose those horns might serve.

Small body, 5mm long

4mm wide

"Comb" on the right

I have to admit I’m drawn to these strange creatures. I think in part it’s simply because they are so alien looking. read more

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Upcoming Trip to Costa Rica

Posted on December 11, 2010 by Troy Bartlett

I’ll be taking a trip to Costa Rica in January for the sole purpose of nature photography. All I have right now is a plane ticket which I snapped up when I received a notification that the price had fallen below $250 from Atlanta.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be spending the entire time along the Southeastern coast. I’ve visited many parts of Costa Rica, but I’ve never been to that particular area. I’ll probably find lodging and base myself near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. read more

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