Two legs... Slow Many legs.... Really Fast!

[James G]

I moved a garden pot earlier this week and rather startled a Black Millipede. I've seen them all my life in the garden, but, since I'm practising my macro technique, I thought I'd take a closer look. BIG Mistake.. it took over an hour to get some decent captures despite confining it to a 7cm glass ramekin. They really do move fast and just don't stop.

The black millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) also goes by the name of the white legged snake millipede. For once I'm fairly confident of the species since this specimen clearly has a triangular 'telson' as the last segment of its body.

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It was successfully returned to a dark spot in my garden, despite it's disobliging nature!

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice set! Too many legs for me!!!!!!!

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[pnodrog]

I could hardly say it is appealing but it is certainly interesting.

[IzzieK]

Nice shot but...but...butttt...ttttt....you touched this thing?!!?!?!?!?!? Tsk...tsk.. did you forget to wash your hands after....? just asking...

[James G]

Izzie... I did touch it rather than pick it up . When startled/ attacked, these creatures curl up into a tight loop, so I slid it onto a leaf, rather than pick it up and maybe damage it. (As a secondary defence they also exude a pungent stink to deter predators).

Truth be told, I garden, and while I use gloves for protection against brambles, roses and the like, I enjoy the feel of earth on my hands. I'm quite happy touching/holding insects, worms, spiders, and most creepy crawlies. My real problem is dogs, and chickens... I'm highly allergic to both of them ... I always wash my hands after touching them...

I totally accept I'm odd and no one would sensibly want to shake hands with me...

[pnodrog]

I have just had an enjoyable look at your album. (I wish more people on CinC would have an album to look at) Having looked at your album and in spite of my thinking I am more or less sensible I would be happy to shake hands with you (may even risk it without wearing gloves and I would promise not to crow or bark)...

[bnnrcn]

Nice series

[JohnRostron]

Good shots. Nice to see pictures of creepy-crawlies other than insects. It's a pity about the artificial background though.

John

[James G]

Hi John, I agree about the background, I try to keep my captures free of any constraint, but with this subject I can't imagine being able to ever capture it on the loose in the wild.

I've got a project in mind to see if I can't photograph Daphnia and Cyclops without a microscope, using extension tubes, but that will involve my glass ramekin too.

[James G]

I have just had an enjoyable look at your album. (I wish more people on CinC would have an album to look at) Having looked at your album and in spite of my thinking I am more or less sensible I would be happy to shake hands with you (may even risk it without wearing gloves and I would promise not to crow or bark)...

L.Paul ... thanks, I'm pleased you liked the album... you have reminded me though that I should probably add a few more recent images to it. I tend to add to my SkyDrive folder these days since friends and family access that more.

[JohnRostron]

I've got a project in mind to see if I can't photograph Daphnia and Cyclops without a microscope, using extension tubes, but that will involve my glass ramekin too.

Have you tried using a solid watch glass or a cavity slide? Alternatively you can make a mini-aquarium using microscope slides cemented together with aquarium cement.

John

[DanK]

Great capture. I looked at your site. Very nice images.

It's weird that in this culture, we have such an aversion to insects and the like.

[IzzieK]

Having a love for gardens and gardening myself, I will gladly shake your hands too, dirt and all...I was just joking in my comments..

[marlunn]

A fascinating creature - another reminder as to why I love macro photography - to see the wonder of these creatures and the detail that the bare eye cannot, thank you for that James, much appreciated.