The horned thorn

[Prajwal J Ullal]

ID: Stick insect(close up)

A closer look of the stick insect that I had encountered during the short trip to Hubli. The beauty had perched itself amongst the thorny shrub, blending well into the ambience. On closer look it also seemed to have thorny horns which, though stubby and short, almost making it part of the thorny shrub. The front limbs had these jagged, saw tooth like edges probably a way to keep the predators away? The natural sway that these insects move, to make them feel more like the part of the plant or shrub, makes it, sometimes, difficult to frame them, especially when there is a light breeze of air flowing around.
You can check few interesting facts about these intriguing species in the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxs0Q7ktaKU&t=33s

EXIF:
Canon 80D
Canon 100mm macro + Raynox
F/16
Shutterspeed 1/200
ISO 320
Handheld, External flash fired

Location: Hubli Outskirts