Apologies in advance for the slightly gruesome post …
I spotted this tadpole today getting captured. I know it’s sad for the tadpole, but Diving Beetle larvae need to eat too! There are hundreds, if not thousands, of tadpoles in the village pond at the moment, so if we don’t want a plague of frogs, this kind of thing needs to happen.
I also saw several Dragonfly larvae stalking tadpoles so the numbers will be going down and down. Dragonfly larvae seem to be very difficult to get a shot of as they blend into the sediment at the bottom of the pond as soon as they stop moving. The photo below is my only half-decent shot of one, and you can barely see it. Honest, that is a living thing not just a pile of sediment.
If you’re up for some more insects and bugs having their dinner, here’s a few more from past years:
Inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Dinnertime
Great photos Suzy, especially the dragonfly larvae on the pond floor, those shots are nigh on impossible to get!! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 I saw one today attacking a tadpole but no chance of a shot that time as it was in amongst the weeds. So chuffed to even see them!
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They are amazing 🙂
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Incredible photos especially of the fly eating the fly. How close did you have to get?
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The fly is from a year or two back so I can’t quite remember. Must have been pretty close!
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The fly must have been so interested in his dinner to let you that close. I just realised that you posted in response to the photo challenge this week. Very original entry!
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Brilliant photos. Dragonflies just rock. By the way, I once got bitten by a larva of a Dytiscus beetle. that bloody stung.
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Ouch!
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I did use stronger language than that.
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WoW!!! What great captures!! I’m so impressed with that top photo as well as the dragonfly eating away! I have never had the fortune of seeing a dragonfly snacking away!! Well, done… I really enjoyed this one!! 😉
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Thank you 🙂
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These a great! Fabulous closeups of these critters. I especially like the first one. Very unusual thing to see, I’d guess. Nice!!!!
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Thanks – yes I was lucky to spot it
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Nice capture, Suzy.
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Ewwwww!!!! But well captured for sure 🙂
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Seems like spider and tadpole were on the menu .. Had no idea the dragonfly would be interested in munching on a spider. Great images ..
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