This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
I like to think some of my photographs succeed for the technical skill and artistry I put into them. Others, it almost doesn't matter what I do. The subject itself is so compelling I just need to point the camera in the right direction and shoot. Such is the case with this Brazilian crane fly:
I can only speculate as to the function of the fly's leg-warmers. The structures might serve to signal to potential mates, or perhaps to confuse aerial predators. I rather doubt they were intended to attract naturalists and photographers, but they certainly work well in that capacity.
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photo details:
Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens on a Canon EOS 7D
ISO 200, f/13, 1/250 sec
diffuse off-camera twin flash