Sundew chowdown !

I decided to get a bit of Macro done and focused my lens towards my pet Sundew. These little guys are part of the family Drosera, comprising some 194 species in the carnivorous plant family.

Unlike the Venus Flytrap, which has a trigger mechanism that helps trap their 'prey', the Sundews have leaves that are covered with tiny hairs, each with a drop of mucilage at their tip. This mucilage is where the Sundew gets its name, as it looks like dew drops have settled on the plant.

This sticky Mucilage helps trap the insect to the plant and aids with the digestive process as it is full of enzymes that break down the food source for the plant. The resulting nutrient soup is then absorbed by the leaf.

Very, very cool plants.

Get out there and Keep Shooting ! ! !

Just like "The Silence of the Lambs"! ! !

Those of you who have seen the movie "Silence Of The Lambs", may remember this little fellow. This is the Death's Head Hawk Moth (A. lachesis.). They are often seen raiding Honey Bee hives for their honey.
The moth has an unfortunate reputation, and is associated with folk tales involved in evil and the supernatural.

Death's Head hawk Moth from above.

Death's Head Close up

                      
Seen these guys at Safari Lodges before, but didn't think I would come across one at the coast. Very, very cool to see.

Get out there and Keep Shooting! ! !