Behind the Leaf
Witnessing insects mating is an extraordinary experience. One that allows me to appreciate the intricate wonders of nature. It serves as a reminder of the hidden marvels that exist in our surroundings, often overlooked in our fast-paced lives. There is something quite amazing when you have the patience to witness some of nature’s smallest creations living their lives.
It is always best to get down to their level and photograph them straight on, rather than from above. This gets you into their world.
ladybird mating
Ladybird mating is interesting. The male can stay on the female for several hours. This is not because mating lasts that long. It is to ensure his genes get passed on. Ladybirds, in general, are easy to photograph; they don’t move too far or too fast. At least not when I have attempted to photograph them. They tend not to move at all when mating. Making this the perfect time to capture some interesting shots.
Having done some research, it appears that there are times when a male will, in fact, accidentally mount another male, awkward, but they simply scurry away.
One of my favourite photographs I captured was of two ladybirds mating, with a third on a leaf above, just casually watching. It stayed for quite some time, occasionally walking around, but mostly peering over the leaf. I assumed it was a male waiting to see if he could get in on the action.
One thing I did not realise until I started getting into insect photography was that ladybirds have a little head underneath the shell. That section that looks like it has eyes on it is, in fact, not their head.
insects mating
Damselflies are one of the hardest insects I’ve found to photograph while mating. They don’t stay still. As soon as they’re spooked, they’re gone. This is one of the first times I have managed to capture them mating.
Soldier beetles are a beautiful colour. One of my favourite ways to photograph them is perched at the edge of a leaf or stem, like a sentry. However, here I was able to capture them mating, another first for me.
This post is full of firsts. The bees’ mating was crazy. I had not even thought about seeing this happen. For some reason, I always thought this just happened in the hive. I was so grateful to have witnessed this moment.
Photographing insects is an amazing way to really learn and appreciate the tiny world that exists around us. Just make sure you don’t interfere.