I am still trying to get back into a routine but life always seems to get in the way but at least I got out a number of times in April. I was happy to get out at night a couple of times to do some night-time macro shooting. My son even came out with one time to Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve and pointed out my first frog, which I had already walked straight past. As there were school holidays we went out for some afternoon walks around Red Hill Nature Reserve and he patiently waited for me to take some photographs. Even though Canberra was still in the middle of the COVID-19 restrictions it was an enjoyable April and I also made another video that you can watch in this post. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
A Fuchsia in our garden
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 320, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/200 SEC])
O’Malley Pond with a dead tree branch sticking out
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/14 and 1/80 SEC])
Loving the patterns on this Yellow Box
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 400, 81mm, f/14 and 1/80 SEC])
A fungus on Red Hill Nature Reserve
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 400, 88mm, f/8.0 and 1/80 SEC])
Enjoying the variety of shapes and colours of fungi, but identifying them is still a struggle
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 400, 88mm, f/8.0 and 1/800 SEC])
The sun starting to peak over Black Mountain backlights this tree with severe erosion around its roots
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM [ISO 100, 35mm, f/14 and 1/80 SEC])
Just an interesting stump in the morning light
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 100, 40mm, f/5.6 and 1/60 SEC])
There was a small group of Australian King-parrots (Alisterus scapularis) flying from tree to tree at Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve. They were moving quickly through the trees but not very quietly so it was always easy to hear where there were, even if it was not easy to get a photograph of them. This male stopped just long enough on a branch in the sunlight to allow me to get a shot. This is the time of year they turn up in Canberra, with their red matching the colours of Canberra’s introduced deciduous trees. They are beautiful birds and I love photographing them, especially the red of the males.
Love seeing Australian King-parrots around, exemplified by this male catching the sun
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
A pair of Eastern Rosellas (Platycercus eximius) crossed our path as we wandered around a low path on Red Hill Nature Reserve. They landed on an old, rusted barbed-wire fence that paralleled the path. It seemed to be an archetypical country shot. These birds have wonderful colours but tend to be nervous around humans so it is hard to get close to them but for this shot I only had my macro lens so I was effectively shooting a portrait of the bird. They were nervous the whole time I was photographing and when I took a step in their direction they took off. Still, it was a lovely sight to see on that walk.
Eastern Rosella on an old barbed wire fence
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/320 SEC])
This Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) may have been the same bird I initially saw on a very small dam in the south-east corner of Aranda Bushland Reserve. Unfortunately, as soon as the bird saw me it took off. I went off to take some more photographs but coincidentally, as I was passing the dam again, this cormorant spiralled in descent as if to land. I prepared to take a photograph of if on the dam but it saw me and awkwardly climbed back up, where it circled at least twice around the dam before flying off to the south-west, the rough direction of Lake Burley Griffin. The dam I saw it on is not large and I assume cannot be that deep. I did not hear frogs near it when I walked past it at night and there does not seem to be much life in it. With all that said this cormorant, if it was the same bird, seemed to be very attracted to this dam.
Little Pied Cormorant flying over a small dam it had possibly been hunting in
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
There were a number of Australian Wood Ducks (Chenonetta jubata) on the main dam at the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve, including a pair that had 16 ducklings with them. This is a high number of ducklings as one source said the brood number was 8-10 while another said 9-12. It is also very late in the season so it may be a second mating or possibly these birds were waiting for better conditions after the very dry and smokey summer Canberra had. Once they were aware of me the adults slowly shepherded their brood out into the lake, before guiding them to the far bank. The male stayed waterside while the ducklings left the water and the female was also in the water but closer to shore. The male chased away at least one female that he felt was too close. All the birds left the dam to huddle together in the grass on the far bank. I was fortunate because a walker came along the trail on the far side so the ducks all headed back into the water. Interestingly, I did not hear a noise from them but they all entered the water again before the walker got close and then the birds started to swim back out to the centre of the dam, where the adult birds stayed on the outside of the group as seen in the photo at the top of this post.
Australian Wood Duck female and ducklings leaving the reeds near where I was
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/800 SEC])
Adopting a protective position on the far side of the dam
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])
One of the ducklings
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])
While photographing the ducks above a Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) flew onto a branch just in front of me in some lovely sunlight making for the lovely picture below. The Willie Wagtail was very active, flying up and down the length of the dam. It was a tad cheeky, as it appeared to swoop the ducks on several occasions, leading to the male duck snapping at it when it flew low overhead. It also seemed to fly in loops around the dam with a Welcome Swallow. I only saw one wagtail but it did keep returning to a small tree on the far side of the dam.
The Willie Wagtail that flew in to check me out
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/10 and 1/320 SEC])
There was a group of Superb Fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) in the same area as the wagtail. They were calling constantly and moving through the bramble. I was able to photograph a male and female but there was also an immature male with his blue tail and no brown line along the eye. I was really happy to see the male as I just love the rich blue of the bird. I am so glad I paused among those reeds for an extended period as the birds really came to life and the lighting was really helpful. It was so hard to pull myself away.
Superb Fairy-wren female in a bramble bush near the dam
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])
Superb Fairy-wren male
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 160, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/400 SEC])
Another view because they are beautiful birds
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 160, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/400 SEC])
These Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) were at the base of Mount Mugga Mugga. I just loved the light hitting their fur and the way they looked at me. Don’t they know it’s rude to stare?
I know Eastern Grey Kangaroos are common but I just loved these three curious ‘roos
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 200mm, f/11 and 1/125 SEC])
I somehow convinced my son he should come for night-time walk around Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on a Friday evening, as that is how teenage boys dream of spending their evenings. I am so glad I did as he spotted the first frog I was able to photograph, a Spotted Grass Frog (also called Spotted Marsh Frog, Limnodynastes tasmaniensis). I had walked straight past it but my son saw this little frog in the dirt near some grass and twigs. The frog stayed perfectly still, even when we shone the torch on it and I moved in close with my camera and flash. It stayed still for a while but eventually jumped in very short hops as it tried to get away. We came across several of these very common frogs, but all a good distance away from the dam. These frogs are very common in the low-elevation areas of the ACT but they have some obvious differences in colour. You can see in the final picture the very obvious stripe running down the back of the frog.
Spotted Grass Frog, the first frog I was able to photograph, not for want of searching
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Another one
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/13 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Same species but with the obvious back stripe
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/13 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Below are a number of pictures of Garden Wolf Spiders (Lycosa godeffroyi) taken mainly at Red Hill Nature Reserve but also one at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve. These are such awesome spiders to photograph. Their eyes reflect so well at night. I like to wait until I get a strong reflection from a distance away, as I figure that will be a big spider. They are normally out and about, looking for food. I love getting a front-on photograph as their ‘faces’ are so beautiful, with their big eyes and the chelicerae looking like a big, walrus moustache; although I have to remind myself that these spiders I have photographed are female so probably not sporting a bushy moustache. You will notice below that I do have a few head on shots, showing the amazing ‘faces’ of these spiders. Their family name is derived from the Greek word for wolf because these spiders are fast predators that will chase down their prey on occasions but, unlike the wolf, they do not hunt in packs but are solitary hunters.
Side view of a Garden Wolf Spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Top view of a Garden Wolf Spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Really liked this head on shot
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I do like the head-on shots, the eyes would be nightmare material if these were not small spiders
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Just one more
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Garden Wolf Spider at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/13 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I am not sure what species this spider is. Initially it was building a web but when it became aware of me it hurried to the leaf you see in the photograph below.
Not sure what this spider is
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I was hanging out the washing one morning when I yellow and black movement at the air conditioning in-take caught my eye. Initially, I thought it was a European Wasp trying to establish a nest in the the air conditioning unit and my mind started planning on calling the pest controllers, after I took some photographs of course. When I had a closer look I realised it was a Black House Spider (Badumna insignis) eating a European Honey Bee. These two photographs are taken about three hours apart. At first I thought the spider was trying to pull the bee into the crack at the top of the unit, but the bee was too large. The spider would pull the bee up but the bee never seemed to go too far into the crack. The spider would occasionally withdraw all the way into its crack but would return to have another go. In the bottom photograph you may be able to notice that the spider has removed the bee’s head and is directly feeding on the innards of the thorax. The spider’s venom has liquified the insides of the bee so now the spider is actually drinking the contents of the bee.
Black House Spider with a European Honey Bee, showing the relative size
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Same two creatures but three hours later
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I think this a Green-bellied Huntsman (Typostola barbata). I was not able to get a good shot as the spider was high up in a tree at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve. I got this shot because my son held a torch while I used my camera with a macro lens. The spider was large, possibly 10-15 cm across. I had first noticed the reflection from its eyes, thinking it was a small mammal given the distance I noted the reflection and where it was in the tree. This spider was very obvious on the branch once we shone the torch on it. There is a line of ants behind it in the photograph but I suspect the spider may be waiting for an animal that intends to feed on the ants as they look too small for the spider to consume.
Blurry photo of what I presume is a Green-bellied Huntsman
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I cannot identify this huntsman spider that I saw at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve, although it may be a badge huntsman. I was actually walking on the other side of the branch when I saw the reflection from its eyes. It was nicely purchased at the crux of this small branch probably waiting for a meal to come past.
Huntsman Spider under a branch
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
This is probably a species of Ground Spider or Ant-eating Spider, but I am not sure which. It was also at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve and very close to where we saw the first Spotted Grass Frog. This spider was prowling along the ground, presumably looking for small creatures to eat. Considering the frog was only a little larger I am not sure which animal would have come off better from an encounter.
Ground Spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I was playing around inside my house with my macro lens to understand how the aperture settings impact photo quality and then I when outside to find a real, live subject to use and this Leaf-curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei) very kindly offered me an option. She was moving in and out of her leaf, at one time coming all the way out before turning around to head back into the leaf. Unsure if she thought an insect had landed in the web but I could not see an insect. This spider is a species of orb weaving spider that is active in the daylight, so is often a good subject to photograph but it is hard to get more than just their legs as the sider retreats to the curled leaf when it feels threatened.
Leaf-curling Spider at our house
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/22 and 1/60 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
I noticed this Wingless Grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum) on our garden shed so ducked back inside to get my camera. I was surprised it was still there when I returned but it did not look like it was going far because it was almost having trouble moving. I noticed in another photo that a spider was emerging from a wood join so I wonder if the spider had bitten the grasshopper and was waiting for the grasshopper to weaken further before it tried to subdue it again. Interestingly, 40% of adults of this species have long wings and can fly, whereas this one has short wings so will not be able to fly.
Wingless Grasshopper that had possibly been bitten by a spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite with two image focus stacking)
I think I this is a Declivis Dung Beetle (Onthophagus declivis). It was tiny, about 1 cm long and was crawling in a pot plant. That is the stem of the flower in the background. Very soon after I took the photograph the beetle went back into the lead litter in the pot and I lost sight of it.
Declivis Dung Beetle
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 320, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
This Garden Soldier Fly (Exaireta spinigera) was on the brickwork of our house, where they often are. I am not sure what brings them here but they do seem to like the area.
Garden Soldier Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
This is the male Wingless Soldier Fly (Boreoides subulatus) who does have wings, where as the female is larger but does not have wings. This male was quietly sitting on this gum leaf at Red Hill Nature Reserve as we walked past. Soldier flies do not bight so, although they look scary they are no problem. Their larvae are good for composting so probably best to encourage them to visit your garden.
Wingless Soldier Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/5.6and 1/320 SEC])
I had no idea what I was photographing when I took this picture, my eyesitght is not that good, especially at night on Red Hill Nauture Reserve when I am using the illumination from a head lamp and my flash. Even when I cropped in I was not sure what it was, but then I noticed the very small Freeloader Flies (Milichiidae (family)), at least four, feeding on the remains of an insect in an old spider web. These flies really were small but they are part of the system that helps energy pass from organism to organism.
Freeloader Flies feeding on the remains of an insect in a spider web
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
My son noticed a False Garden Mantis (Pseudomantis albofimbriata) on one of our rear wire screen doors and that was enough for me to head out. I had been looking for a mantis for a while because they are just fantastic photographic subjects with their large eyes and pseudopupils, all in that triangular head they constantly rotate giving them an inquisitive, intelligent look. This mantis was exactly what I was after. She did not seem to mind me and did not avoid the camera. She allowed me to photograph her from front on to give me the angle I wanted. She was doing the typical mantis waving of her whole body as if she was a plant being softly blown by a breeze. She stayed in this general area for 24 to 36 hours. I did not see her leave and I hope she moved by her own means rather than as a meal for another animal. I did not see her catch anything while she was there although maybe she was attracted by the light initially, although my son saw her in the afternoon before it go dark and the light would have been attracting her food. You will note that she has wings but she is in fact unable to fly, whereas the male has longer wings, is smaller, and is able to fly. As I said, I am not sure why she was there but I did appreciate the opportunity to take her photos.
False Garden Mantis on a fly screen door
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Trying to get the iconic head shot of a mantis with the pseudo pupils
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Meadow Argus butterflies (Junonia villida) are very common but I still enjoy photographing them because of the metallic blue contrasting with their brown. This one landed in front of us while we walking on Red Hill Nature Reserve one afternoon.
Meadow Argus butterfly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/400 SEC])
I am not sure of the species this Noctuid Moth is. It was resting on this leaf one evening on Red Hill Nature Reserve.
Noctuid Moth
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Parts of Red Hill Nature Reserve seemed to have exploded with Pasture Day Moths (Apina callisto). Walking through low growth and grass, these moths were flying all over the place. They tended to move quickly from one spot to another as we approached, making them hard to photograph. Sometimes, two of them would circle around each other low to the ground, although I am unsure if they were trying to mate. Last year I recall seeing hundreds of the caterpillars crossing a bike path at Yarralumla. Being a bike path, a number of caterpillars were just squashed marks on the bitumen but still more were crossing. Apparently, similar behaviour makes them a danger to airplanes because they will cross runways in numbers, attracting birds, which then pose a risk to jet aircraft if they get sucked into the engines. Interestingly, the caterpillars do not make a cocoon but dig a hole to pupate. Having seen the caterpillars last year, I was happy to see the adult version, even though these are very common moths.
Pasture Day Moth
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 250, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
A different view of another Pasture Day Moth
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/9.0 and 1/400 SEC])
Not sure what species of moth this is but it was very small, about 1 cm and wrapped its wings around itself. We saw it one afternoon at Red Hill Nature Reserve.
An unknown moth on a twig
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
I also cannot identify this caterpillar from my morning at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve. it was on my jacket, so you can tell from the weaving of the jacket that this caterpillar is very small. It was making good progress across my jacket but its style of locomotion was to curve its front section a little, not like a looper caterpillar that loops or curls its entire body at the middle.
Unknown, very small caterpillar
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/640 SEC])
These two Banded Sugar Ants (Camponotus consobrinus) were out at night at Red Hill Nature Reserve in different locations. The first one was moving near one of the Garden Wolf Spiders but I ddi not witness its demise while I was photographing. The second one was on a leaf eating manna from the surface of the leaf. Ants like that sweet, white substance and I was very happy I was able to photograph this behaviour.
Banded Sugar Ant
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/10 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Banded Sugar Ant eating manna on a gum leaf
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/14 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
This Bull Ant appeared to take an instant dislike to my son. I noticed this ant while we were walking at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve at night and pointed it out to my son. The ant then turned and raised its head towards my son, even though I was closer and got even closer while I was photographing it with a macro lens and circular flash. I am not sure what made the ant focus in the direction of my son but it did look like the ant had an intense distrust of him. Bull Ants are aggressive and will turn to face threats and even chase after them as this English lady recorded in the 1850s (taken from Australian Geographic):
“They do not — like the English ones — run scared away at the sight of a human being — not a bit of it; Australian ants have more pluck, and will turn and face you. Nay, more, should you retreat, they will run after you with all the impudence imaginable.”
Bull Ant focussing on my son
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/13 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
This cricket nymph was wondering around Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on the evening we visited. I noticed one of its antenna was mostly missing. It was also walking near one fo the Spotted Grass Frogs we found, which I thought was not a way to ensure a long life.
Cricket nymph with a bit missing from one of its antennas
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/13 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)