The Beautiful Bugs of Belize

[Judi Lynn]

Stunning images of the incredible arthropods of Belize by macro photographer Thomas Shahan


Thomas Shahan is an Oregon-based artist and macro-photographer who specialises in high-magnification photography. He is the imaging specialist for the Oregon Department of Agriculture's entomology lab.

For the past two years, Thomas has been teaching at macro photography workshops in Belize, and he took these stunning photographs during those trips.

Most tourists visit the country for the clear tropical waters off the coast, but inland Belize includes deep jungle habitats with incredible biodiversity and an enormous amount of arthropod life.

Thomas tells BBC Earth, “I find the seemingly endless diversity and beauty of arthropods fascinating. It's like exploring another world full of alien life forms.

"Arthropods are often feared, misunderstood, or labelled as pests – unjustly – despite the pivotal role they play in the Earth's ecosystems. They are certainly more beneficial to the planet than we are as a species.”

More:
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150309-the-beautiful-bugs-of-belize

[KT2000]

1. amazing creatures! n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

2. Biodiversity rules...

… I hope forever, Judi Lynn!

Nice article. Huge grasshopper!

[Solly Mack]

3. Bugs! I love bugs!

[ret5hd]

4. If you ever spend time in Belize City...

go to the museum that is housed in the old prison/jail. It is within walking distance of the main hotels there.

There is a huge collection of beautiful insect specimens. They were all collected by a missionary and his wife and children.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

5. wow,thanks!

I love bugs ❤