Soldier Beetle.

Paul Iddon

This was on a thistle (obviously) down on the waste land of the Preston Docklands area.

I was always scared of these as a kid, because I thought they stole blood...











Paul.

Lord Vetinari

Both good but #2 is excellent

Paul Iddon

Thanks Brian, I thought the light purple at the top of the 2nd thistle was a touch over exposed, but I didn't want to try too much photoshopping on it.


Paul.

Awais Yaqub

These are beautiful very nice colors and clarity too

Paul Iddon

Thanks for looking Awais. The beetles are common enough in th UK, but capturing them is harder because we always have breezy days!


Paul.

GOLDENORFE

Good shots Paul. #2 my fav.
used to see loads of these, not seen any this year yet.
phil
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

Paul Iddon

Cheers Phil.

I saw about 6 or 7 on my walk today, but at a distance. This one was near enough to cause me to stop and try to shoot him.

Paul.

Skippy

Paul Iddon wrote:

This was on a thistle (obviously) down on the waste land of the Preston Docklands area.

I was always scared of these as a kid, because I thought they stole blood...
Paul.

Hi Paul, love that second shot ... what made you think they stole blood?
.... Skippy
.

Paul Iddon

Max, my big brother told me when I was a kid... They stole your blood, that's why they are red...

And earwigs, they climbed into your ears and ate their way through to your brain...


Ewwww...

Brothers eh? Don't you just love 'em?


Paul.