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SHOWREEL

SHOWREEL

01:55

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MYSTERIES IN SAND - the sand bubbler crab

03:14

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ELLA AND L - Save a Turtle

02:40

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Volunteer with us

02:12

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Meet The Wildlife Hospital

02:23

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SAVING TURTLES

02:05

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Between The Rocks

02:30

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Macro Photogoraphy

(Full portfolio on instagram)

Horned VIper 😈 :

Up close and personal with one of my all time favourite snakes - a desert horned viper (Cerastes cerastes).

Like many other vipers, it is a venomous snake that knows how to make its presence known if it feels threatened. Being a desert species, it can emit a loud, alarming "hiss" by rubbing its special scales against each other, instead of exhaling and losing moisture. It lives in the sandy dunes of the middle east and hunts rodents and lizards, either by actively going after them or by burrowing into the sand and setting up an ambush. It isn't fully known yet why this amazing species evolved a pair of horns, but some theories suggest that once it burrows into the sand, the exposed horns resemble dry vegetation, possibly luring desert rodents to stop by in their search for seeds to eat, only to end up as the meal themselves...

Make sure you check out my other photos of this legendary snake!

#viper#herp#snakes#snake#desert#herpetology#reptiles#snakesofinstagram#reptilesofinstagram#macro#earthcapture #wildlifephotography #nature #macro_turkey#excellent_macros#mta_macro#macro_freaks#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#macroexperience#majestic_macros#macro_highlight#see#naturephotography#featuredwildlife#wildlifeig

Horned VIper 😈 :

Up close and personal with one of my all time favourite snakes - a desert horned viper (Cerastes cerastes).

Like many other vipers, it is a venomous snake that knows how to make its presence known if it feels threatened. Being a desert species, it can emit a loud, alarming "hiss" by rubbing its special scales against each other, instead of exhaling and losing moisture. It lives in the sandy dunes of the middle east and hunts rodents and lizards, either by actively going after them or by burrowing into the sand and setting up an ambush. It isn't fully known yet why this amazing species evolved a pair of horns, but some theories suggest that once it burrows into the sand, the exposed horns resemble dry vegetation, possibly luring desert rodents to stop by in their search for seeds to eat, only to end up as the meal themselves...

Make sure you check out my other photos of this legendary snake!

#viper#herp#snakes#snake#desert#herpetology#reptiles#snakesofinstagram#reptilesofinstagram#macro#earthcapture #wildlifephotography #nature #macro_turkey#excellent_macros#mta_macro#macro_freaks#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#macroexperience#majestic_macros#macro_highlight#see#naturephotography#featuredwildlife#wildlifeig

ZOMBIE FUNGUS 🧟‍♂️ :
Like many of you, I've recently been watching HBO'S "The Last of Us", a series that depicts a zombie pandemic caused by a fungi called Cordyceps, that had mutated into zombifying and consuming humans instead of its usual hosts - invertebrates.

Whilst the human part of this story is completely fictional, Cordyceps is a an actual genus of what's known as "Enthomopathogenic fungi" a group of over 1000 species of fungi that kill or disable insects and other invertebrates as part of their life cycle. Some of these fungi are known for their ability to alter their hosts' behaviour, by taking over their nervous system and "zombifying" them to seek better conditions for the fungus to form a fruiting body full of more infectious spores, yikes.

Such is the case here. Just after watching last week's episode, I was tending my houseplants when I suddenly found a living (or dying) example of the fungus from the show. This 4mm spider was once living safe from predators under my plant pot, but spores of Gibellula, a fungus from the Cordycipitaceae family managed to find their way to it, germinate and slowly consume it from inside out before producing their striking, yet horrific fruiting body, full of spores that are ready to spread out and infect other unlucky spiders.
Nature is wild.

#thelastofus#zombie#fungi#spider#arachnids#macro#entomology#mycology#earthcapture #wildlifephotography#nature #insectguru#excellent_macros#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#splendid_kritterz#Arthropod_Perfection#ip_insects#macroexperience#pocket_insects#nature_sultans#majestic_macro#uwn_insect#macrointhewild#naturephotography

ZOMBIE FUNGUS 🧟‍♂️ :
Like many of you, I've recently been watching HBO'S "The Last of Us", a series that depicts a zombie pandemic caused by a fungi called Cordyceps, that had mutated into zombifying and consuming humans instead of its usual hosts - invertebrates.

Whilst the human part of this story is completely fictional, Cordyceps is a an actual genus of what's known as "Enthomopathogenic fungi" a group of over 1000 species of fungi that kill or disable insects and other invertebrates as part of their life cycle. Some of these fungi are known for their ability to alter their hosts' behaviour, by taking over their nervous system and "zombifying" them to seek better conditions for the fungus to form a fruiting body full of more infectious spores, yikes.

Such is the case here. Just after watching last week's episode, I was tending my houseplants when I suddenly found a living (or dying) example of the fungus from the show. This 4mm spider was once living safe from predators under my plant pot, but spores of Gibellula, a fungus from the Cordycipitaceae family managed to find their way to it, germinate and slowly consume it from inside out before producing their striking, yet horrific fruiting body, full of spores that are ready to spread out and infect other unlucky spiders.
Nature is wild.

#thelastofus#zombie#fungi#spider#arachnids#macro#entomology#mycology#earthcapture #wildlifephotography#nature #insectguru#excellent_macros#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#splendid_kritterz#Arthropod_Perfection#ip_insects#macroexperience#pocket_insects#nature_sultans#majestic_macro#uwn_insect#macrointhewild#naturephotography

FALSE COBRA🐍:

This beautiful snake is Rhagerhis moilensis, also known as a false cobra, thanks to its ability to rear and flatten its neck like the famous elapids. Truth is, it's not actually dangerous, and not related to a cobra at all!

Just a little explainer in case you were wondering! My account has not been hacked or sold to anyone! I'm just testing a new little story highlight category for reviewing cool bug or reptile related items that I think you might really like! Happy to help and support wildlife artists or artisans, as long as my followers get special discounts and their products are actually something I'd recommend! Have an amazing weekend everyone.

#snake#desert#snakes#snakesofinstagram#herpetology #reptiles#macro#earthcapture #wildlifephotography #nature #excellent_macros#mta_macro#macro_freaks#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#splendid_kritterz#macroexperience#pocket_insects#nature_sultans#majestic_macros#macro_highlight#macrointhewild#naturephotography

FALSE COBRA🐍:

This beautiful snake is Rhagerhis moilensis, also known as a false cobra, thanks to its ability to rear and flatten its neck like the famous elapids. Truth is, it's not actually dangerous, and not related to a cobra at all!

Just a little explainer in case you were wondering! My account has not been hacked or sold to anyone! I'm just testing a new little story highlight category for reviewing cool bug or reptile related items that I think you might really like! Happy to help and support wildlife artists or artisans, as long as my followers get special discounts and their products are actually something I'd recommend! Have an amazing weekend everyone.

#snake#desert#snakes#snakesofinstagram#herpetology #reptiles#macro#earthcapture #wildlifephotography #nature #excellent_macros#mta_macro#macro_freaks#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#splendid_kritterz#macroexperience#pocket_insects#nature_sultans#majestic_macros#macro_highlight#macrointhewild#naturephotography

Treehopper 😈 :

This cool, horned creature is a colorful treehopper of the species Oxyrhachis versicolor. They are tiny (around 5mm) relatives of the cicadas and the leafhoppers, that feed exclusively on their host tree's sap. Since tree sap is mostly rich in sugars and low on proteins, the hoppers need to consume vast amounts of it to reach the protein intake needed for their growth. This means a lot of excess sugar goes through their system, so they have to secrete it in the form of sugary droplets called "honeydew".

In nature, such energy rich resource never goes to waste, so some ants have evolved to benefit from these secretions, essentially creating a symbiotic relationship between themselves and the treehoppers. The hopper feeds, secretes honeydew and then the ants harvest it from its rear end. "In return", the ants march around and protect their precious herd of "sugar cows" from predators and other threats.
In the second photo you can see a Camponotus ant patroling around an adult treehopper and a nymph (in the background) probably looking for honeydew to harvest.

#wholelottabugs#bbcearth#bbcwildlife#earthcapture#nature
#passion_in_macro #macrophotography
#macro_freaks #insectguru #biodiversity
#arthropod_perfection #macro
#macroworld_tr #grikart_macro
#smallworldlovers#macroclique#macro_vision#tgif_macro#tgif_insects
#macro_delight #wildlifephotography #naturephotography#invert_macro

Treehopper 😈 :

This cool, horned creature is a colorful treehopper of the species Oxyrhachis versicolor. They are tiny (around 5mm) relatives of the cicadas and the leafhoppers, that feed exclusively on their host tree's sap. Since tree sap is mostly rich in sugars and low on proteins, the hoppers need to consume vast amounts of it to reach the protein intake needed for their growth. This means a lot of excess sugar goes through their system, so they have to secrete it in the form of sugary droplets called "honeydew".

In nature, such energy rich resource never goes to waste, so some ants have evolved to benefit from these secretions, essentially creating a symbiotic relationship between themselves and the treehoppers. The hopper feeds, secretes honeydew and then the ants harvest it from its rear end. "In return", the ants march around and protect their precious herd of "sugar cows" from predators and other threats.
In the second photo you can see a Camponotus ant patroling around an adult treehopper and a nymph (in the background) probably looking for honeydew to harvest.

#wholelottabugs#bbcearth#bbcwildlife#earthcapture#nature
#passion_in_macro #macrophotography
#macro_freaks #insectguru #biodiversity
#arthropod_perfection #macro
#macroworld_tr #grikart_macro
#smallworldlovers#macroclique#macro_vision#tgif_macro#tgif_insects
#macro_delight #wildlifephotography #naturephotography#invert_macro

DEADLY POLLINATION 🌼 :

Even as a bee, life isn't always milk & honey... This worker bee was busy pollinating from flower to flower, without realising it was falling into a deadly ambush set up by a very hungry flower crab spider (Misumena vatia) .

These spiders are absolutely incredible. They are masterful predators who climb on top of flowers and can even change their colour to match the exact shade of the flower they are sitting on. When a pollinator approaches the flower, it doesn't notice the trap untill it's far too late, and the spider can deliver its deadly bite. Despite even pulling out her stinger, this bee never really had a chance.

It was a treat to spot my first UK flower crab spider, check out my previous posts to see some of their mediterranean relatives and learn more about this phenomenal creature! .
#wildlifephotography#bbcearth#bbcwildlife#earthcapture#nature#wholelottabugs#macro_holic#macroworld_#macroclique#macro_vision#tgif_macro#tgif_insects#macro_perfection#electric_macro#macro_brilliance#macro_spotlight#macro_freaks#smallworld_uc#pocket_macro#insects_of_our_world#ip_insects#pocket_insects#insectguru#macro_captures_#kings_macro#igbest_macros#raw_insects#idmacro

DEADLY POLLINATION 🌼 :

Even as a bee, life isn't always milk & honey... This worker bee was busy pollinating from flower to flower, without realising it was falling into a deadly ambush set up by a very hungry flower crab spider (Misumena vatia) .

These spiders are absolutely incredible. They are masterful predators who climb on top of flowers and can even change their colour to match the exact shade of the flower they are sitting on. When a pollinator approaches the flower, it doesn't notice the trap untill it's far too late, and the spider can deliver its deadly bite. Despite even pulling out her stinger, this bee never really had a chance.

It was a treat to spot my first UK flower crab spider, check out my previous posts to see some of their mediterranean relatives and learn more about this phenomenal creature! .
#wildlifephotography#bbcearth#bbcwildlife#earthcapture#nature#wholelottabugs#macro_holic#macroworld_#macroclique#macro_vision#tgif_macro#tgif_insects#macro_perfection#electric_macro#macro_brilliance#macro_spotlight#macro_freaks#smallworld_uc#pocket_macro#insects_of_our_world#ip_insects#pocket_insects#insectguru#macro_captures_#kings_macro#igbest_macros#raw_insects#idmacro

SAND DWELLING 🐍 :

This cute noodle is a false smooth snake, peeping out after burrowing in the sand to avoid being detected.
It's a small, two toned snake reaching up to 55 centimeters long, that poses absolutely no threat to humans and doesn't tend to bite. It mainly feeds on lizards, small rodents and sometimes even nesting songbirds.

It's been ages since I posted here! Spent the last year and a half studying a Masters, producing a short film about snakes and pursuing a career as a wildlife filmmaker in Bristol, England 🇬🇧 so the Spaceinvaders project had to be put on the back burner for a while.

It's good to be back though, expect to hear more from me in the next post! .

#snake#desert#snakes#snakesofinstagram#herpetology #reptiles#macro#earthcapture #wildlifephotography #nature #excellent_macros#mta_macro#macro_freaks#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#splendid_kritterz#macroexperience#pocket_insects#nature_sultans#majestic_macros#macro_highlight#macrointhewild#naturephotography

SAND DWELLING 🐍 :

This cute noodle is a false smooth snake, peeping out after burrowing in the sand to avoid being detected.
It's a small, two toned snake reaching up to 55 centimeters long, that poses absolutely no threat to humans and doesn't tend to bite. It mainly feeds on lizards, small rodents and sometimes even nesting songbirds.

It's been ages since I posted here! Spent the last year and a half studying a Masters, producing a short film about snakes and pursuing a career as a wildlife filmmaker in Bristol, England 🇬🇧 so the Spaceinvaders project had to be put on the back burner for a while.

It's good to be back though, expect to hear more from me in the next post! .

#snake#desert#snakes#snakesofinstagram#herpetology #reptiles#macro#earthcapture #wildlifephotography #nature #excellent_macros#mta_macro#macro_freaks#top_macro#macro_captures#kings_macro#splendid_kritterz#macroexperience#pocket_insects#nature_sultans#majestic_macros#macro_highlight#macrointhewild#naturephotography

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@space_invaders_macro

Israeli Wildlife Hospital

Lior Kestenberg
Wildlife Photographer & Filmmaker

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