Living Art / 21 March, 2015
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Bioluminescence | The Magic Glow
Bioluminescence is one of the most interesting features of the animal world. For me it is a kind of magic: these tiny animals being able to effortlessly produce light. Nevertheless, it is just an evolutionary advantage to help them hunt small insects such as aphids. One night walking through the tropical cloud forest, I was attracted by the movement of two constant bright lights. I approached stealthily and what I saw left me overwhelmed: there was a Headlight beetle or “Carbunco”, Pyrophorus with its two luminescent spots at the back of its head. Hypnotized by the two glowing yellow lights, I took this picture while the bug was moving around the leaf using a long exposure shot synchronized with a flash at the end. These photographic techniques used in a creative manner give us an insight into amazing aspects of animal behaviour that otherwise would remain unobserved.
First Prize Winner. Other Animals category. GDT 2017 - European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. / First Prize Winner. Small World category. NBP 2016 - Nature´s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice Internacional Awards. / First Prize Winner. Macro Photo category. MML 2016 - Memorial Maria Luisa.
Bajos del Toro
10°13’12” N | 84°17’33” W
Alajuela, Costa Rica