My Best Macro outing in Singapore, Ever?

I have a few overseas photography trips lined-up this year and to be honest, i cannot wait to pack up and leave. Imagine all the snakes, spiders and cool bugs waiting to be discovered and photographed.....Wishful thinking? Well, my macro-outing last night served as a gentle reminder that I do not need a passport to find exotic subjects!

I seldom post about my local outings but last night 's session deserves a special mention. I was pleasantly surprised by the richness in biodiversity that this newly-discovered location has to offer, despite its relatively small area. It was a fabulous albeit short session, but we hope to return soon and spend more time here!

*Click on the image to enlarge*

Twig Spider (Ariamnes sp.) Fully stretch it measured around 15mm.

Unidentified Assassin Bug. (20mm)

Most likely a Carrhotus sp. (8mm)

Side profile of the spider.

A gorgeous Limacodid caterpillar (Narosa sp.?). I have never seen anything like this before!

Under UV-light. It looks like a deep-sea creature.

With backlighting.

Ctenus Wandering Spider (Ctenus cf. floweri) spotted on the forest floor. It has a legspan of around 15mm.

Mandatory close-up shot of its face.

We found this jumper amongst the leaf litter. I immediately recognised the species.

This is a Harmochirus brachiatus and it measured only 3mm in length! The last time i photographed this species was 2 years ago, so it was really a nice surprise.

Close-up of "Popeye". Look at those arms!

A beautiful moth spotted in the leaf-litter. Not sure of its ID.

It was so good at camouflaging that it took us almost 10 minutes of searching before we were able to spot it again, after we lost sight of it the first time. This particular species of Lichen huntsman (Pandercertes sp.) is different from the usual ones you find on trees around the island. At resting position, it tends to keep the Leg 1 and 2 together and appearance-wise it is much more 'hairy'.

Close-up of the huntsman spider. It measured less than an inch in legspan.

The Tree stump orb-weaver spider (Poltys sp.) really lives up to its name!

I was looking at a pile of rotten logs when i spotted something orange and shiny!

It is a male Trilobite beetle. Quite a rare sight here in Singapore.

Close-up of its face. Can you see the eyes?

Wide-Angle Macro

Wide-Angle Macro is a photography discipline where Macro meets Landscape photography. The focus is no longer just on the subjects but the surrounding scene as well, providing for a more intimate look into the lives of these amazing creatures. I have been experimenting with it in recent months and I would have to say that it is highly addictive, albeit, a pain in the *** to get right! Here are some of my shots.

 Shot taken with my Rokinon 7.5mm lens and modified Extension Tube.

Nephila sp. with Sungai Buloh in the background.

 We spotted this Kopstein Bronzeback trying to cross a patch of forest clearing so we took the chance to snap a few photos.

What a gorgeous snake!

One of my first few attempts at wide-angle macro. It is so hard to get the subject in focus!

A Katydid shot with Natural Light.

A  shot of a 'fingerprint' ant with fill flash.

This snail is probably less than 2cm in length and as you can see, it was really tough to get all of it in focus.

 A recent attempt of a Dead-leaf Grasshopper.

 Another attempt from a different angle and with a deeper Depth of Field.

It has been a pretty interesting (and tough) learning-journey thus far but I remain hopeful.

If you are really interested in Wide-Angle macro, do check out Gil Wizen's wide-angle macro shots here. They are rather amazing!

Wonderful Creatures of the Mangrove

Here is a photo update of some of the amazing creatures that I had the privilege of finding during my recent trip to SBWR. Enjoy!

*For a larger image, please click on photo*

1) I was staring at a trail of ants when I caught the sight of this Phyllium Nymph, commonly known as the leaf insect. It blended perfectly into its surrounding and if not for its characteristic swaying motion, I probably would not have been able to spot it in the first place.

2) It was difficult that get a sharp dorsal shot of it because it was simply too 'curvy'! Here you can clearly see what i mean.

3. Another interesting find was this strange-looking Spiny-Back Orb Weaver (Thelacantha sp.) 

4. It relaxed after awhile and suspends itself in mid-air.

5) Ventral shot of the Thelacantha sp. I actually find this side of the spider more attractive.

6. This scene actually reminds me of my family when we are out eating crabs. Instead of a crab, these tiny worker ants get to enjoy the remains of a Mantis, devouring it from within the exoskeleton.

7. If you think this is an ant, you're.... half correct! This is actually a female Mymarachne cf. plataleoides, a species of jumping spider (Salticidae) that mimics the Red Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina).

8. Here comes a handsome male with a more pronounced Chelicerae.

9. Check out the tiny waist on the opisothoma! Megan Fox would approve, for sure.

10. The Cephalothorax is also slightly segmented to complete the 'ant look'.

"Hey look at me, I'm an Ant!" 

 11. Spiders from the genus Mymarachne generally do not eat the ants they mimic. Instead, they use the mimicry for personal-protection as most predators would generally stay away from these formidable ants.

12. Helloo, Handsome. :)

13. Here is another species of spider, from the Family Thomisidae, that mimics the Kerengga ants and unlike the Mymarachne sp., this crab spider ( Amyciaea sp.) actually hunts and eats its role-model ants.

14. Check out the brilliant colours of this Scoliid wasp! Backlit for added effect. :)

15. The same wasp under normal lighting.

16. I have been looking for a female Phintella versicolor for the longest time, and guess who decided to grace me with her presence!

17. Look at the amazing pattern and contrasting colours on her Cephalothorax and Opisthosoma! It is a pretty small Jumper, with a total body span of 6-7mm.

18. Here is a shot of a male Cosmophasis sp. taking a sip of water. If Ernie from Sesame Street was a spider, this would be it. Check out the 'Eyebrows' on this one!

19. This has got to be THE find of the day. No, make it for the whole of 2015.  I don't get to see Portias very often but when I do, it is in the middle of hunting down its prey! It was quite a bummer considering how badly I wanted to shoot this Portia cf. labiata, but I am glad that I exercised some self restraint and just let the spider do its own thing as I observe from a safe distance. 

20. Portias are recognised to be one of the smartest spiders. It is often dubbed as a 'thinking' spider because of its apparent ability to strategise and formulate the best possible way to get to its favourite meal, the orb-weaving spider, without getting noticed. I only managed two record-shots with my zoom lens as I did not want to intrude into its space and causing unnecessary stress.  Such a joy to watch. :)

 21. "Crikey, mate! She is a stunner until she opens her mouth to eat you!"

 22. The last of the three crocodiles i spotted that day as I make my way out, back into civilisation. A wonderful conclusion to an excellent day of macro photography and nature-watching. :)