#BestOfLux2024
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luxomancer.bsky.social
For today's #BestOfLux2024 and #invertefest offering I present the joy that are #Mantidflies. These awesome #Insects were frequent visitors to the bug light this year. More details in the #AltText.

Taken with a #Fujifilm X-S10 and #Laowa 65mm #Macro.

#Macrophotography
#Neuroptera
#invert
A photo of the brown and tan Four-spotted Mantidfly, DIcromantispa interrupta, on a white background from above. This photo shows how slender the raptorial arms, head, and neck of the insect is, and how the lacy wings cover the abodmen which curves towards the bottom of the frame. A photo of the front of a brown and tan Four-spotted Mantidfly from the front showing the raptorial arms and head in greater detail. The raptorial arms are held tightly folded under the head which is dominated by the two large bronze metallic iridescent eyes. A photo of a Four-spotted Mantidfly, Dicromantispa interrupta, on a white background, from the side. The Mantid fly is shades of tan and brown. The raptorial claws, which are very mantid-like are dark brown and held tightly under the insect's triangular head which features large round metallic bronze iridescent eyes and slender antennae. The insect's neck is slender and tubular and leads to square shaped thorax from which the slender tan legs are attached. the insect's wings are long and lacy, covering the tan abdomen. This is a photo of neck, head, and raptorial arms of a brown, tan, and yellow Beautiful Mantidfly, Leptomantispa pulchella as it snacks on what I believe is a leafhoopper. The mantidfly's raptorial arms are brown with lighter tan areas, the eyes are an iridescent metallic bronze color, the slender antennae are dark brown
December 28, 2024 at 10:03 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Friday is for #flies. Here is a colorful Long-legged fly in the genus #Condylostylus. (More content tomorrow, today was rough)

#fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm Macro.

#BestOfLux2024
#Invertefest
#diptera
#macroPhotography
A metallic green fly resting on light blue colored siding. The fly has bright orange eyes, and there are 2 dark stripes on it's transparent wings.
December 28, 2024 at 12:22 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
For today's #invertefest post I present some of my favorite #Spider photos of 2024. Species detail in the #AltText

Taken with a #Fujifilm X-S10 and #Laowa 65mm #macro

#Arachnids
#MacroPhotography
#BestOfLux2024
A photo of a Mabel Orchard Orbweaver, Leucauge argyrobapta, spider hanging in it's web at night. The spider has long slender legs that are dark translucent green, a green forebody, and an abdomen that is green with yellow and bright orange markings. It is hanging from the left most of 4 long strands of silk. Because the photo was taken at night the background is pitch black. A photo of a Green Lynx Spider, Peucetia viridans, who is resting on some pale blue house siding and snacking on a small fly (not sure of species)that it has caught. The spider's body is translucent lime green. Its leg are pale, long, translucent, and marked with dark spots and spine like hairs. A photo of a Red-spotted Orbweaver, Araneus cingulatus, illuminated with 365 nanometer ultra violet light. The spider's forebody fluoresces pale blue, her eyes are dark, and her slender legs, held close against the body also fluoresce blue. Her large round abdomen fluoresces green with dark spots that line the sides. A photo of a translucent yellow/orange Yellow Ghost Spider, Hibana velox, resting on light blue colored house siding. The spider's long, slender legs are covered in black spine like hairs. the spider's large fangs are dark orange/brown, the 6 dark eyes clustered above the fangs in one row of 4 and one of 2. The spider's fore-body is round and the abdomen, visible at the top, out of focus, is slender and marked with 2 rows of dark spots.
December 27, 2024 at 1:13 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
I did not encounter many arthropods this year that were red and green for a #ChristmasMacro. Of those I did encounter, I choose to share this focus stack of Loxa flavicolis, the Spined Green Stink #Bug 😁

#Fujifilm X-S10, #laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#BestOfLux2024
#Invertefest
#hemiptera
A focus stacked photo of the front of a bright green stink bug resting on light blue colored house siding. The Face and forebodyof the stinkbug form an inverted triangular shape with the sides of the triangle ending in spines that are colored bright red, a thin line of that red color descends to the small eyes which are pale gray colored. The bug's thin legs are spread to either side of the body gripping the siding.
December 26, 2024 at 12:17 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Here are a few #skies from the #Summer of this year. I normally expect dramatic storm clouds due to our proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, but we also had some nice #sunrises too!

#Photography
#BestOfLux2024
#Clouds
A black and white photo of billowing cumulus congestus clouds framed by trees on the left, the bottom and the right. Distant soaring birds can be seen in the upper right. A panoramic photo of high wispy cirrus clouds over a darkened horizon of trees at sunrise. towards the horizon the clouds are brilliant salmon pink and orange, darkening as one's gaze moves up the frame. A black and white photo of billowing storm clouds over darkened trees. Soaring birds can be seen in the distance at the upper right. A photo of altocumulus clouds at sunrise over darkened pine trees. The clouds are lit in brilliant shades of pink by the rising sun.
December 24, 2024 at 9:33 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
I have already posted about the glory of the ground #beetle Calosoma scrutator, which was a frequent visitor this year, but it's goth cousin #Calosoma Sayi The Black Caterpillar Hunter, was also a frequent vistor!

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#BestOfLux2024
#MacroPhotography
#Coleoptera
A focus stacked photo of the front of a large black beetle on a light blue surface. The beetle's legs feature spines at the joints. 4 small jointed appendages hang below sharp, strong mandibles (This is a predatory beetle) the head and body of the beetle are all shiny and black. A photo of the beetle from above as it rests on a wooden table. The beetle's elytra, the hardened fore wings that cover the flying wings and serve to armor the beetle are ridged front to back and marked with many small pit like markings that are colored a metallic orange color.
December 24, 2024 at 9:21 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
2024 was a good year for #Katydid portraits, these are Lesser Angle Wing Katydids, #Microcentrum retinerve.

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#BestOfLux2024
#Insects
#Inverts
A photo of the side of the head of a green katydid with a gray/green/brown eye. A photo of the face and forebody of a green katydid with green eyes against a p[ale blue background. A photo of the face and forebody of a green katydid resting on a sheet of white fabric. The katydid has pale brown colored mouthparts and brown/green eyes. A photo of the face and forebody of a green katydid taken from directly in front of the katydid. Its eyes are green and there is just a touch of brown visible at the bottom of the mouth parts.
December 23, 2024 at 10:54 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Shadow of the hopper.

Acanalonia servillei

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#BestOfLux2024
#MacroPhotography
#Insects
#Inverts
An almost monochrome photo of a leaf hopper insect silhouetted by a porch light, it's roundly triangular body casting a long shadow.
December 23, 2024 at 10:35 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula.

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #macro

#BestOfLux2024
#MacroPhotography
#Hemiptera
#StinkBug
#Insect
#inverts
A photo of the head and forebody of a brilliant green stink bug resting on white fabric. The stinkbug has 2 smal amber colored ocelli, primitive eye-like structures located just behind the two gray colored eyes. The antennae extend from just under the stink bug's snout and have brown segments as do the ends of the front legs.
December 23, 2024 at 12:00 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
#Summer in South #Georgia means #Cicadas, while we missed out on the great periodic cicada emergence this year, I did have a few of the locals visit! More details in #AltText

All taken with a #Fujifilm X-S10 and #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#BestOfLux2024
#MacroPhotography
#Hemiptera
#Insects
#Inverts
A photo looking angled down at the front portion of a brown Hieroglyphic Cicada ( Neocicada hieroglyphica ) resting on a light blue wooden surface. The cicada's main eyes are black and are on the sides of the triangular face. Three small ocelli, eye like organs are in the middle of the face in an inverted triangular pattern. The pronotum, the area just behind the cicada's head is marked with black and rusty orange markings. A photo of the side of the head of a type of Dog Day Cicada, genus Neotibicen (Not sure which species) The area behind the eyes is a dark tan color, with darker brown stretching back behind it. The eyes are grayish brown, and the underside of the cicada is white. A photo of the front of a Northern Dusk Singing Cicada, Megatibicen grossa, resting on a wooden surface. This is the largest cicada in the eastern US. The cicada has a bottled brown and black appearance, and is covered in many fine white hairs. The red ocelli, small eye-like organs form an inverted triangle in the center of the broad inverted triangular face. The main eyes located on the sides of the head are gray mottled with black spots. A photo of the side of a Dog Day Cicada (genus Neotibicen) that is resting on a light blue wooden surface. The cicada's body is colored shades brown on the upper surface and white underneath. The large wings have a green lower leading edge and are transparent, showing the thick abdomen behind
December 21, 2024 at 9:13 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
One of my most favorite #photos of the year is this shot of an IO #Moth ( #Automeris io ) and a very small friend who visited in june, Additional shot of IO glory included 😁

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro, #FocusStack

#BestofLux2024
#MacroPhotography
#Insects
#inverts
#Saturnidae
A photo of the front of a large yellow and orange IO moth, a silk moth, (Saturnidae) next to a very small gray moth of indeterminate species, they are resting on a white fabric The Io Moth has yellowish hair-like scales on its legs, head, and the front of its body that gives it a fluffy appearance, The fore wings are yellow/orange with dark wavy markings, the hind wings feature large black eye-spot markings that are ringed with yellow and deep orange A photo of the same scene but showing the moths from above. The Io Moth has a roughly rhomboidal shape. The markings on the wings are more fully visible, the wavy lines on the fore wings and the and the eyespots on the hind wings showing the light colored central potion, the black outer portion, the deep yellow surrounding them another slender black ring, and then a deep orange red ring.
December 20, 2024 at 7:46 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Good morning, happy #Friday, The #Mantidfly of Happiness™ reminds you all to get a good #breakfast to start your day.

Beautiful Mantidfly, #Leptomantispa pulchella

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#BestOfLux2024
#insects
#Inverts
A photo of the head and raptorial arms of a mantidfly as it eats a leafhopper. The mantidfly's eyes are large and a metalic bronze green color, the mantidfly's body and raptorial arms are brown with tan stripes
December 20, 2024 at 9:29 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
The first part of 2024 brought some fantastic tree and leafhoppers ( #membracoidea ) more details in the #AltText

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#Insect's
#Hemiptera
#Inverts
#BestOfLux2024
#MacroPhotography
#Leafhopper
#Treehopper
A bright green and black and yellow striped leafhopper, Tylozygus geometricus, on a wooden surface. The leafhopper is streamlined, almost bullet shaped, and has black and yellow lines that cross it's face and the back of the pronotum (the area behind the head) the wings are green with tiny black lines that run front to back with a patch of black right at the back. The front of a gray green treehopper, Archasia pallida, resting on a light blue painted wood surface. The hopper is a light grayish green with a dark brown line along the crest that runs along the middle. The wings are transparent. A photo of a brown bullet-shaped leafhopper the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis. The front part of the hopper is brown with many tiny yellow spots, the hopper's large eyes are yellow with a black stripe through the upper part, thehopper's wings are transparent and held closely against the yellow and black spotted abdomen. A bright green treehopper, Ophiderma evelyna, resting on white cloth. The head and top part of the hopper is bright green, it's wings are transparent, showing the hopper's brown abdomen beneath.
December 16, 2024 at 7:54 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
I need to shoot more #NativePlants. This is a Blue-eyed Grass, genus Sisyrinchium, not sure of the exact species. This is not really a grass, but is more closely related to irises.

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#FlowerReport
#BestOfLux2024
#WildFlowers
A macro photo of a 6 petaled purple flower with a yellow center with an out of focus background of green. the petals have a W-like notch at the end with the middle portion long and slender.
December 12, 2024 at 8:22 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Some more #Mothtraiture from the first part of the year. More details in the #AltText

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#Insect(s
#Moths
#BestOfLux2024
A photo of the front of a Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma disstria). The moth is covered in orange-tan fur like scales and has large feathery antennae. A photo of the front of the Harris' Three Spot Moth (Harrisimemna trisignata) a white moth covered in wavy black stripes and having three large brown spots on the wings. The hump-like area behind the head is also brown. A photo of the front of a Grape Leaffolder Moth (Desmia funeralis) . The leading edge of the moth's wings and it's eyes are black, the area just under the head is white, and under that another thick stripe of black, the legs are black with white stripes. A photo of the front of the Carpenterworm Moth, (Prionoxystus robiniae) resting on concrete. The moth's eyes, legs, and slender yet feathery antennae are black, the large hump like area behind and above the head is gray stippled with black and features 2 S-shaped vertical lines, the wings behind, softly out of focus are dark with just a hint of orange showing in the middle
December 12, 2024 at 7:55 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Here are some cool #Sunrises from the first half of the year.

#Photography
#Clouds
#skies
#panorama
#BestOfLux2024
Sunrise lit clouds above shadowed trees. The darkened clouds on the right form a jagged line, with the underside of them lit in brilliant orangish pinks to the left. A panoramic photo of sunrise lit clouds above a dark horizon of trees. The wispy high cirrus clouds are colored pastel oranges, pinks and purples A panoramic photo of sunrise lit clouds over a darkened horizon of trees. The rising sun colors the wispy high cirrus clouds orange near the bottom left of the frame, the clouds darkening into shades of grayish purple as you ascend and move to the right of the fame A panoramic photo of intensely sunrise lit clouds above a darkened tree lined horizon. The wispy high cirrus clouds are colored intense pastel pink and orange, with the area of clouds in the lower center having an wave like ripple appearance.
December 12, 2024 at 7:34 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
The Spider Goddess Descends.

Possibly the Butterfly Orbweaver, #Araneus pegnia, A favorite spood from the Spring.

#Fujifilm X-S10 #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#Invert(s
#Spiders
#BestOfLux2024
A tan and brown spider in her web above light colored wooden house siding. The spider's legs are slender and tan with darker brown stripes, one front leg is extended just touching the house, the other legs arrayed around her. Her cephalothorax (Forebody) is pale tan, her eyes arrayed around the front, above her dark brown fangs, her rotund abdomen is darker brown, covered with many small hairs, and has darker spots.
December 12, 2024 at 1:59 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
This Spring I was introduced to one of the coolest #Beetles ever, the Fiery #Searcher, #Calosama scrutator, a living jewel of a beetle who kindly let me get some photos without demonstrating it's other legendary trait, horribly smelly defensive fluids 😂

#BestOfLux2024
#insects
#Macrophotography
a macro photo of the front of the beetle. black, heavy crescent shaped mandibles lead upwards to a flat head, black, marked with a darkly rainbow iridescent sheen, large globular eyes are on each side of the head. Behind the head, the flat pronotum, similarly colored, has raised edges on the sides, the beetle's legs fill the sides of the frame. A photo of the beetle's dorsal surface as it rests on some light colored wood siding showing the red bordered brilliant metallic green markings of the elytra, the hardened forewings that cover the beetle's body A photo of the side of the beetle's forebody showing the brilliant iridescence of the head and pronotum,.
December 11, 2024 at 12:55 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
April brought many visitors to the porch light and it started a trend that would continue for many months. Adorable #moth portraits! ( Mothtraiture? ) More details for each in the #AltText.

#fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #macro

#Photography
#Insects
#BestOfLux2024
#MacroPhotography
A photo of the front of the Scalloped Sack-bearer Moth, Lacosoma chiridota) a tan moth resting on light blue house siding. The moth's wings are held at an obtuse angle. the wing tip of the right wing bent slightly as it touches the side of the house. Delicate feathery antennae rise above it's fuzzy head. A photo of the front of the Angulose Prominent Moth, Peridea angulosa, a gray brown moth with a rhombus like shape, the wings rising to a triangular point, the head a smaller triangle underneath, the fuzzy legs spread along the bottom gripping the wooden surface it rests on. On the peak of the hump above the head is a line of black scales that almost give the moth a spider like appearance A photo of the Tulip-tree Beauty Moth from the front. The delicate white wings, spotted with white, gray, and small orange spots are held at an angle against the side of the light colored house siding it rests against. Thin antennae rise from above the moth's dark hemipsherical eyes, which are themselves above a thin line of white fur-like scales flanked on each side by the slender legs gray legs with black rings The photo of the front of a fluffy Tussock Moth in the genus Orgyia. The black hemispherical eyes rest jut below two very large feathery antennae, which the angle of give the moth an almost grumpy look
December 10, 2024 at 1:38 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
We don't get Sun Dogs often here in South #Georgia but they are awesome when they do happen.

#Photography
#BestOfLux2024
#Skies
#SunDog
A Sun Dog. The Sun, low on the tree lined horizon reflects through thin icy clouds forming a circle with bright spots to either side and at the top with a column of light that rises above the Sun
December 9, 2024 at 12:12 AM
luxomancer.bsky.social
March also brought what is one of my top 10 #Macros of the year, this fantastic shot of a Mexican Paper Wasp, Mischocyttarus mexicanus, on it's nest.

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #macro

#BestOfLux2024
#Macrophotography
#Inverts
#Photography
A photo of a reddish orange and yellow wasp from the front. it's head is roundly triangular, with yellow antennae pointing towards the camera, the large oval eyes on the side of the head are red dappled with black, the powerful mandibles and center of the face are yellow. The thorax which rises behind the head is red with thin yellow stripes, from it rise the two wings which are viewed edge on, held at an acute angle. The wasp rests on one of the filled chambers of it's nest which is gray green
December 8, 2024 at 8:58 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
#March brought a steady increase in arthropods to photograph, including this fantastic Running Crab #Spider, possibly Philodromus floridensis, snacking on a small fly.

#Fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#Macrophotography
#BestOfLux2024
#Inverts
An orange brown spider with small black eyes on a light colored wood surface snacking on a small brownish fly.
December 8, 2024 at 8:49 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
#February was a very sparse month for #buggies, with this Garden Tortrix Moth ( #Clepsis peritana) and Common Idia #Moth ( #Idia aemula) being the last visitors. However the winter macro drought would soon end...

#Photography
#Macrophotography
#Insects
#BestOfLux2024
A slender, tan moth on a light blue surface. There is a dark brown diagonal band midway down the moth's wings, and large dark half spots on the lower wing edges with darker brown spots throughout. A broadly triangular brown moth on a light background. The moth is marked with slender black wavy lines which extend latitudinally across the wongs and about midway down, there are 2 yellow spots near the edges of the wings, the upper spot is very small, the lower quite larger
December 7, 2024 at 9:34 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
The early part of the year was also a good month for Flower light, the crisp light of winter makes the few blooming #flowers just glow 😻 More details in the #AltText

#Photography
#FlowerReport

#BestOfLux2024
An intensely pink camellia flower against a darkened background illuminated by the late afternoon sun which causes the petals to glow A trio of wood sorrel flowers (genus Oxalis) illuminated by the late afternoon sun. The flowers are lavender with 5 petals, each petal featuring thin lines of darker purple as they near the center of the flower A photo of two of the labiate flowers of the henbit plant, Lamium amplexicaule. The flowers are pink and backlit by a low February sun which causes them to glow. A pair of Saucer Magnolia flowers, Magnolia x soulangeana flowers. The flowers are large and cup shaped. The petals are brightly pink on the outside and pale, nearly white on the inside. They are brightly illuminated by an afternoon sun.
December 6, 2024 at 9:11 PM
luxomancer.bsky.social
Hello friends, today is a better day and I resume sharing with you all the best #photos I took in 2024 😁 February is usually a sparse month for #buggies, but here are the stars of the month, more details in the #AltText

#MacroPhotography
#Photography
#BestOfLux2024
#insects
A photo of the front of a female Hentz's Jumping spider (Hentzia palmarum) resting on the yellow door frame of a car. The spider is brown with hairs and white spots on its legs. It's frontal eyes are very large and it is cute in that adorable jumping spider way A photo of the front of a Leaf-footed Pine Seed Bug, Leptoglossus corculus, resting on light blue siding. The bug is brown over all, the ends of the legs and the antennae are a light orange color. A photo of the side of a brown Lunate Zale Moth, Zale lunata, resting on some light colored rock. The moth is brown over all, with some light colored stripes going across the wings. A photo of a small brown ant with a large abdomen from the side resting on some camellia flower petals. Inaturalist.org could not give me a species suggestion.
December 6, 2024 at 8:51 PM