Friday, November 06, 2009

That fascinating Ants...


I have always been fascinated with ants. I believe this fascination start when I was a kid living in a Kampong where ants are everywhere, in the bushes, in the trees and in and around the house. It’s everywhere. There are big ants, small ants and ants that cause great pains when bitten and those ants that seem to be harmless. So over the years it just became invisible living along us until something happen, likes it invaded our cakes and cookies when we leave it unattended for a while.

Unlike the white ants or the termite most ants are harmless. In fact we do needs ants around to help in the pollination process of our plants. There would be no flowers like the colorful orchids without the ants. Ants too play a very significant role in cleaning out the dead insects leaving our space free of the waste remains. So ants actually are a necessity rather then a pest. It does help our species to enjoy living on this blue planet of ours.


This morning I decided to do some photography at the back of my house using the Macro Lens and took a numbers of shots of the happening there. Here are some images of the happening that shows ants enjoying itself on one of the fruit. See how small the ant is compare to the Custard Apple [the size of a small size Apple] that it feed on. The image of the custard apple below would give you some ideas of the size of the ants relative to the fruit.



Since I went into Macro Photography I found a new world of wonder that would not be possible using an ordinary lens. It is amazing what one could see and enjoy nature through the Macro lens. I am still learning the best way of getting a good shot of the objects especially that of insects that are always moving. As can been seen in the images above it is still not that perfect but I am happy with that for the time being. At this age my hand is still steady but as has been advice using a tripod would be the best way of getting a better shot. I shall have to do that as I move along adventuring into the world of Macro Photography.


Have a nice day.[Click image to enlarge]

6 comments:

Temuk said...

Love to see the ant with its translucent belly climbing up the tree. That was a nice shot! That ant must be the one that experienced 'sakit' while playing the 'enjut-enjut semut' game! Salam bahagia.

Pak Idrus said...

Temuk, thanks for the visit and sharing your colorful thoughts on the subject of this posting. Thanks as well for the compliment of the shots. Well, I am still trying to get a really good shop, sharp like the professional but I am happy with it and would try to do better the next time.

It look like that watching the ants 'enjut-enjut semut' must have trigger the thought of someone to come out with that evergreen game.

Have a nice day.

mamadou said...

Assalamualaikum Pak Idrus
Beatiful zoomed shots. Ants is fascinating creature to look with..... Its strength, courage, friendship,,,,

Thanks for sharing Pak.

Pak Idrus said...

mamadou, thanks for the visit and the greeting as well the good words on this images in this posting. I am glad that you enjoy the images of this fascinating creature, the Ants.

Yes indeed a resilient creature that we could learn. It goes on with its work without complain and at the same time provides services to the others in the Eco system. Such a wonder that nature had to offer.

I did enjoy my day that evening photographing it.

Have a nice day.

Capt's Longhouse said...

THE ANT PHILOSOPHY !! hahaha..you will like this, am pirate sure !! yooo buddy hehehe....

1st PART PHILOSOPHY

ANTS NEVER QUIT !!

If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way.
They’ll climb over, they’ll climb under, they’ll climb around.
They keep looking for another way.

LESSON:

To never quit looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.??.

2nd PART PHILOSOPHY

ANTS THINK WINTER ALL SUMMER ?!.

You can’t be so naïve as to think summer will last forever.
So ants are gathering their winter food in the middle of summer.
You’ve got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun.

LESSON: It is important to be realistic. Think ahead !!.

3rd PART PHILOSOPHY

ANTS THINK SUMMER ALL WINTER-lah !

During the winter, ants remind themselves, “This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.”
At the first warm day, the ants are out.
If it turns cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day.
LESSON: Stay positive at all times.

4th PART PHILOSOPHY

ALL-THAT-YOU-POSSIBLY-CAN !!

How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter?
All that he possibly can.

LESSON: Do all you can….and more!

IN A NUT SHELL... FOUR-PART PHILOSOPHY

Never Give Up
Look Ahead
Stay Positive
Do All You Can

“Don’t be encumbered by history, just go out & do something wonderful”

Hohohoo !!!!

KapasPirateKing

Pak Idrus said...

Capt's Longhouse, thanks for the visit and sharing your valuable thoughts;The Ant Philosophy with us.

It sure is a great read. I hope it is OK with you if I post this Philosophy as a posting on Ants the next time.

Have a nice day and great pirating on the China See Sir. Take care.