Emerging Mayfly Dun

[Columbarius]

This Mayfly is struggling in the surface film attempting to rid itself of it's outer skin before emerging as a Dun or Subimago. If it makes it to land it will moult one last time before emerging as an Imago ready to mate and then die.

Mayfly Dun Emerging-1 by Russell Hunt, on Flickr

Mayfly Dun Emerging-2 by Russell Hunt, on Flickr

Mayfly Dun Emerging-3 by Russell Hunt, on Flickr

Feedback please.

[Tigger]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

stunning detail Russell. Whilst I like the close up in the 3rd the 2nd I prefer

I presume it must have been close to you considering the lens, not unless you got wet feet :)

[Stan]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

well done

Stan

[Columbarius]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Thanks for looking & commenting Ian & Stan.

not unless you got wet feet

Only the soles of my boots. This one was lucky, relatively close to the bank it got away, but the Black-Headed Gulls were having a feast. As was this little guy:

Mallard Duckling & Mayfly-1 by Russell Hunt, on Flickr

[antoeknee]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Interesting images.

[AlexR!]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Lovely detailed images, Russell, which I really like as I'm currently sat on the bank of the Thames surrounded by the little blighters, and had thought about trying to capture them but knew it was well beyond my patience and skill. I think the second works the best in terms of composition.
Oh, and thanks also for the added context of the final image. Nature can be brutal...

[Bill53]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Great set and a good narrative.

Bill.

[tesarver]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Lovely Set Russell.

Tom

[Columbarius]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Thanks for looking and commenting Antoeknee, Alex, Bill & Tom.

Nature can be brutal...

I guess that's why they all seem to hatch at once. Despite the best efforts of the Black Headed Gulls (and the Ducklings) a good few made it to the trees for the final hatch.

[TonyT]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Excellent images, love the reflections and that last shot does it for me, it portrays a moment in time and instills action and movement into it.

[Columbarius]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Thanks for the feedback Tony.

[paul linton]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Nice informative set and just love that last Image.

Paul

[Columbarius]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Thanks Paul.

just love that last Image.

I'm guessing you mean the duckling. I've worked hard to bring that up to "standard" including trying a B&W conversion, but I think I have to accept it as a "nearly" shot.

[Parsen66]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

There was a guy on the radio last night talking about their life cycle. 365 days to live, and one day to 'perform' as a May fly.

[Columbarius]

Re: Emerging Mayfly Dun

Thanks Alan, yes the nymphs can spend up to two years foraging on the bottom of rivers and lakes until the are ready to emerge. The adult form has one purpose only, to mate and if female lay their eggs. They can't eat as mostly they only have vestigial mouth parts and lack a proper digestive system and as you say are dead within 24hrs or so. Hence the Latin name Ephemeroptera (short-lived with wings).