I'm back. Thanks for the comments; I'll respond in the next day or so, as I get sorted.This was one of the locals at Flounder Bay. Actually, Leptograpsus variegatus wasn't keen on being friendly — its eyesight was simply astonishing and it detected movement from a good 20 metres away, taking rapid evasive action. This was one of the largest crabs I've seen in the wild in New Zealand, with a carapace roughly the area of the back of my fist. Although predominantly purple when viewed from above, from the side the colours were spectacular.
All content © 2009 Pete McGregor
This is one of nature's gems and the picture is just perfec, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI bet getting that photograph took a lot of time and patience. What a fantastic creature!
ReplyDeleteIt goes to prove my point that there is nothing anyone can create from their imagination that doesn't exsist in nature already. Sci-fi eat your heart out! A stunning photo!
ReplyDeleteTried to imagine just how much trouble it must have been to get the photo. I can just imagine you scrambling all over the shore line, setting up the shot, only to have the fellow scuttle away. And they're better at moving among the sharp rocks and barnacles than we are!
ReplyDeletebonjour,
ReplyDeleteAmazing capture..Beautiful composition , colors and brightness..Bravo!
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful photograph! This one is just to print and to hang on my wall. Colors are magnificent!
Hard, tricky, patient work, but OH, WOW!
ReplyDeleteThat is un Mardi-Gras crab, bon temps!
Wonderful photo of a beautifully marked crab. Happy birthday, Pete.
ReplyDeleteWow. That's the most spectacular crab I've eever seen!
ReplyDeleteEly, welcome. We were astonished when we first saw the crab; I think because it was at this particular angle where the colours are so striking.
ReplyDeleteLesley, I did have to stalk it carefully, but given the nature of the coastline there (massive, blocky boulders), the stalk wasn't difficult. Coming into view of the crab and pointing the big white lens was a different matter: I had to move slowly and smoothly, and even then it scuttled away slightly. So, it didn't take as much patience as one might expect, but it certainly required care.
Thanks watercats :^) I reckon anyone asked to design an alien would stand a good chance of coming up with something like this.
Miguel, surprisingly, it wasn't as hard as it sounds. The lens (300mm, focusing to 1.5 m) certainly helped, though.
Bonjour jelb. Thanks for the kind comment about the photo :^)
Hi Greg, welcome back! And thanks :^)
Zhoen, "WOW" was pretty much the reaction when we saw it.
Thanks Bev. Given your skill at photographing small creatures (and other things), I'm honoured. (Have updated the link to your blog on Pohanginapete, too).
Dave — but how often do you get to see crabs in your neck of the woods? ;^P Anyway, thanks!
Absolutely beautiful, the photograph and the crab.
ReplyDeleteThanks, robin andrea :^)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo! What a beautiful crab!
ReplyDeleteIt was a beauty all right, Brenda. Thanks!
ReplyDelete