Rhibee the pest

[Stagecoach]

Rhibee is a Rhinoceros Beetle that's classed as a pest here as they like eating coconut palms but I'm willing to share mine. She was found upside down on the the drive and appeared to be having problems turning over so how could I resist helping out.

The first shot is the only decent one I managed to capture outside in the failing light and the session was finished using flash. All shots handheld as this model had no intention of staying still.

I had to resort to using the 2 off SBR200s on the front of the lens and these also gave the lighting to the background. Flash in TTL.


No 1 - 1/50s, f/11, ISO 400


No 2 - 1/60s, f/16, ISO 200


No 3 - 1/60s, f/16, ISO 200


No 4 - 1/60s, f/16, ISO 200


Comments and suggestions are welcome as always.........

Grahame

[Jeffbridge]

Beautiful captures; excellent series!!

[bnnrcn]

They are great Grahame

[deetheturk]

Great series Grahame,you have done a good job with the lighting on this horny little devil well done mate!

David

[DayLeePhotos]

A great series considering you say your model was uncooperative! Nicely done!!!

[flashback]

Great shots. Reminds me of the rhino beetle in 'It's a Bug's Life.'
The detail is amazing and I never cease to be astounded at the complexity of even the smallest critter.
FWIW - the largest known (fossilized) dragonfly had a wingspan of about 2 1/2 ft (75cm), so one can imagine how big some of the beetles may have gotten (a millipede fossil is estimated to have reached nearly 6ft in length and almost 18 inches wide).

[Brownbear]

Beautiful images! #3 and #4 are especially stunning! Beautiful lighting and detail.

Aside... I remember these critters. Almost black, hard shells and the first time I spotted one flying around I'm sure I let out an loud eek!

[John 2]

Excellent.

[Shadowman]

Grahame,

You've upset the balance of nature by assisting.

Nice image.

[Stagecoach]

Jeff, Binnur, David, Debra, Jack, Christina, John (2), John,

Thank you guys for the comments.

David,
For such a shiny hard surface I was pleasantly surprised that the reflection from the flash was not too bad and I did not use any diffusers at all.

Jack,
I would not be too pleased meeting a larger one of these, they are quite weighty when you pick them up and like a small tank. I have a couple that show some more interesting detail and when PPd will post here, when you see the complexity of some of these critters it makes the human body seem quite basic in design.

Christina,
The colour quite surprised me as having seen them before I thought they were all black, it may be to do with their age. You certainly do not want to be hit by one when they are flying

Grahame

[NorthernFocus]

Insects sure look scary when viewed large. Nice shots.

[Stagecoach]

Insects sure look scary when viewed large. Nice shots.

They sure do Dan, that's what I find so enjoyable about them.

[Stagecoach]

And a few more close ups from the bunch. There has to be a way to make Rhibee look cute but I think I've failed

No 5


No 6


No 7


Grahame

[deetheturk]

Superb Grahame, definitely right out of Jurassic Park

David