I've Just Had a V8!
Uploaded: July 05, 2011
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Yesterday I visited the Moland House in Warminster, Pennsylvania. It was George Washington's Headquarters for two weeks in 1777, just before the Battle of Brandywine. On display yesterday was one of two existing copies of the Declaration of Independence that had been made directly from the original in 1847.
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When I returned home, the first thing I did was check the tomato enclosure to see if "my" two little spiders had found new meals. They had. Then my eyes fell HORRIFIED on two large collections of caterpillar poop on lower tomato leaves. With consternation, my eyes followed the decimated stems to the top of the plants, where a huge tomato horn worm was polishing off a cluster of cherry tomatoes. His brother was about six inches away...equally fat and happy. They are less happy now, somewhere over the backyard fence.
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Exif: F Number: 7.1, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/80 seconds, Flash: fired, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 320, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 155.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D
Carolyn M. Fletcher July 05, 2011
Oh my, you probably ruined their day! Great shot, anyway, before the fence toss. #1390501Bill Johnson July 05, 2011
Amazing Capture! #9507355Kevin P. Kreischer July 05, 2011
Awesome shot of this #%@^$ pest, you should have made sure they will never come back! I had big problems with them last year. #9507357Gord MacEachern July 05, 2011
Beautiful macro work Michelle, the colors and detail are fantastic! #9507369Tammy M. Anderson July 05, 2011
Fabulous details, Michelle. #9507375Gregory R. Gaskin July 05, 2011
Excellent macro work, I like all of the little “eyes” along his body staring back at you. #9507402Danny B. Head July 05, 2011
Beautiful macro shot... you have to love the little "eyeball" designs on his skin, even though he is a pest. #9507417Alan L. Borror July 05, 2011
Wonderful capture with great detail, Michelle! Hope they don't return...you were kind to them. #9507422Jack Gaskin July 05, 2011
This one is Bob Cam. GOOD and in my eyes thats as good as it gets GREAT SHOOTING.Happy Gardening
Jack #9507448
Michelle Alton July 05, 2011
Just went out and checked...no sign of them...but one of the little orchard spiders appears to have caught a hatchling! GOOD little spider! #9507457Deb Koskovich July 05, 2011
Over the fence? Those guys would have been under my shoe in "flat format"! Leave it to you to grab the camera before the caterpillars, you crazy woman! #9507464R. J. Laudenbacher July 05, 2011
I guess those spiders are good for something even though...I am glad they are at your house instead of mine! :) This is a great macro shot Michelle and the details on it is wonderful. #9507511Mary Timman July 05, 2011
Fabulous close up with such great detail and clarity! Good Luck with the tomatoes! #9507585Courtenay Vanderbilt July 05, 2011
Ahhh, hopefully a tasty meal for a hungry bird! Great catch, Michelle...both the photo and pest picking! #9507587Robert R. Goodman July 05, 2011
Hi Michelle,Beautiful color and detail.Stunning capture,wish I could find some color out here!!!! #9507637Robert R. Goodman July 05, 2011
Hi Michelle,Beautiful capture.Wonderful detail and color.Wish I could find color like that here!!!! #9507642Anita Hogue July 05, 2011
WOW, it sure made for an awesome capture! #9507753Amy M. Wilson July 05, 2011
Gorgeous detail, color and clarity, Michelle!! #9507773Gina Cormier July 05, 2011
Excellent capture of this green fella!! Great detail!!! #9507833Karen E. Michaels July 05, 2011
CLEVER work here Michelle.Linda D. Lester July 05, 2011
I'm glad you got some good shots before they got tossed! #9507857frank w. degenhardt July 05, 2011
I really enjoyed the story behind the picture, had fun reading that. These critters sure can ruin a tomato garden but I am so glad you took some pictures of it to show its gorgeous colors and details. I love the little barb at the end and then the little what I call eyes along its body. Gorgeous macro of this pest. Have yourself a most wonderful day. #9507921Mariann Kovats July 05, 2011
Excellent capture, beautiful details on them, Michelle! I am amazed you just tossed them over the fence and not step on them. I hope they wont come back to your plant. #9507950Val Feldman July 05, 2011
Well, my detail and color lovin' heart is doing hand springs today, Michelle, just looking at this! Magnificent macro - the detail is wonderful down to the spiky hairs on your tomato plant, as well as, the greedy little bugger himself. Glad you were kind - he was just doin' what comes naturally...Excellent work here (Gloryman would be proud!) :) :) #9508115Jeffrey R. Bange July 05, 2011
Fantastic macro work Michelle, love the title, clarity, detail and composition. Sorry to hear about the loss of your tomatoes but I would loved to have been there with my camera when you tossed them over the fence. #9508123Emile Abbott July 05, 2011
I am with Val on this one Michelle. Awesome detail #9508124Jeffrey R. Bange July 05, 2011
Fantastic macro work Michelle, love the title, clarity, detail and composition. Sorry to hear about the loss of your tomatoes but I would loved to have been there with my camera when you tossed them over the fence. #9508129Debra R. Harder July 05, 2011
Brilliant macro, Michelle! Excellent colors, lighting, clarity, details and comp. Amazing! Deb #9508246Ron McEwan July 05, 2011
I am late as usual and everybody plus Frank is ahead of me. I needed you here to ascertain what happened to all of my Hollyhocks this year. Great macro Michelle. #9508424Renata Gusciora July 05, 2011
What a terrific macro and vibrant green,Michelle!Fabulous details,clarity and lighting! #9508489Mike Clime July 05, 2011
Awesome macro and details, Michelle! Hope they don't come back to have another meal. #9508651Reynaldo D. Reyes July 05, 2011
Awesome capture with the refreshing green color and all the intricate details like eyes all over the caterpillars body. Hope your tomatoes survive the onslaught... #9508705Tammy Espino July 05, 2011
I'm laughing at the fence toss!! I think it's a cool looking bug though for a bug!! Great capture~~ #9508888Cliff & Patti Smith July 05, 2011
Amazing capture and great story too:) #9508920Carol L. Fowler July 05, 2011
I feel your pain- I just came in from the garden, and something BIG has been digging under the fence, eating all ripe squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers, then climbing back over the fence on the thick (8 foot high) sunflower stalks- I only have one sunflower left because all other stems are now broken!! #9509065Ray Thoms July 05, 2011
Great image Michelle.....sad they damaged you plants though! #9509126Christine Lobsinger July 05, 2011
Outstanding Catch Michelle...Monnie Ryan July 05, 2011
Too funny - and you were much too kind to these guys, though! Terrific capture! #9509230Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna July 05, 2011
Incredible details in this fantastic image, Michelle! NOW...I better go check our tomato plants! :-) k #9509244Rony Sagy July 05, 2011
Spectacular work, Michelle. #9509250Barbara Waldoch July 05, 2011
Perfect shot, Michelle! #9509284Deborah Lewinson July 05, 2011
Awesome capture along with a story well told!Love it!
Debby #9509433
Thomas E. Hinds July 05, 2011
What a beautiful image of this caterpillar! So very green! Love it! I bet they will find their way to another feast somewhere, Michelle! LOL! I think you are kind to let them live. I once shooed a bevy of grasshoppers away from my garden only to have most everything eaten later by nematodes! (Couldn't see them to scare away! LOL!) #9509461David Phalen July 05, 2011
I'm with Deb. If it had been me they would have been squashed!! Awesome colors and details in a fabulous macro!! Of course you got the shot!! #9509488Lana Arcemont July 05, 2011
Outstanding color and detail, Michelle! #9509621Maureen M. Bisson July 05, 2011
Oh Michelle ~ I love it, I love it, I love it you character you! What a pure joy you are in all ways possible and a mighty fine photographer to put the icing on the cake perfectly! (((HUGS))) #9509674Terry Cervi July 05, 2011
Top-notch work, Michelle! Love your story and the awesome macro!! #9509759Rona L. Schwarz July 05, 2011
WOW! What a magnificent macro capture, Michelle! Incredible detail and clarity on this guy and the spikes on the tomato plant as well. Bet we see him again! Have never seen one of these as I don't grow tomatoes...the bunnies and racoons eat them! And I loved the title and your commentary, so funny! #9509772Robert K. Bemus July 05, 2011
I would've sauteed them in garlic and butter and eaten them on a fresh sliced tomato, just for spite...sure is a pretty bug though and detail is spot-on, Michelle!! Why is that spiders often fall asleep on the job?? #9509847Steve M. Harrington July 05, 2011
A fine macro of the voracious little bugger, Michelle! :)Avril Young July 06, 2011
ha ha, too funny...excellent macro and details Michelle...outstanding capture!! #9510075Jayne Martin July 06, 2011
Love the story and the fabulous capture, awesome detail. You made him look quite beautiful! #9510086Marilyn Cornwell July 06, 2011
This is a gorgeous image, Michelle! Like Carolyn's story of the clean-up, destruction is hidden in such beauty! #9510283Ujjwal Mukherjee July 06, 2011
Terrific details and clarity,Michelle! Superb macro!! #9510517Phyllis H. Burchett July 06, 2011
Awesome macro work Michelle, love the details and color too! #9510824Mitch Spence July 06, 2011
Isn't it amazing how fast they can chew their way through a plant? But . . . you took full advantage of the photo op. Really nice macro, and great title, and if you can ignore what they're doing, they really are pretty. #9511368Ellen Hodges July 06, 2011
Awesome details and color, Michelle!! #9512362Tamara K. Walker July 06, 2011
Of course we always get our pictures before they go over the fence. Super color and details. #9512442Kathy Coombs July 07, 2011
What a fab capture! First time I saw one of these..I didn't see him! I was looking for a "worm" not a bus! I had to actually re-focus my eyes! ( I am from Cali!) I was amazed..you make them look beautiful! #9512684Amanda J. Tanner July 08, 2011
Excellent Capture Michelle. Nice Macro work! #9515703Lorna Shutter July 08, 2011
I think if they come back again, you should catch them and send them in a box to Robert! LOL! :DOutstanding capture of this colourful horn worm, Michelle! Never seen one like him before! He does look fat and healthy! Love all the eyes! Something's been snipping off the flowers from our tomato plants late at night! It's so annoying! Maybe I should go out with my flashlight past midnight and see what it is! Ha! Ha! :) #9516280
David Van Camp July 08, 2011
This is definitely cool, Michelle! Great capture :) #9516390Nadia Paul July 08, 2011
Awesome macro with great comp and detail Michelle! #9517069Ken Smith July 11, 2011
That's pretty cool, Michele! Excellent details and love the greens in this! #9521720Kathy Reeves July 13, 2011
Excellent! #9526746Jill Odice July 13, 2011
Great shot of the culprit caught in the act! I HATE these things! Last summer I tried growing my tomatoes in one of those upside down planters, well it didn't stop these little suckers from getting to them! Great macro catch though :-) #9528013Diane E. Deming July 14, 2011
Superb color and detail, Michelle. I think I better check our plants! #9530820Dianne Brin August 15, 2011
I've just recently had the same experience, I let my tomato worm stick around for some photos only to find the next day that he ate one of my cherry tomatoes as well. The evidence was all over his face! He too now has a new home over the back fence! #9605451Renata Gusciora August 25, 2011
Congratulations on this superb finalist,Michelle!!!:-) #9627411Ermanno Radice August 25, 2011
Many congratulations on this gorgeous finalist, Michelle! #9627432Jeffrey R. Bange August 25, 2011
Congratulations Michelle on your photo being selected as a finalist and best of luck in the next round. #9627736Bojan Bencic August 25, 2011
Amazing details, Michelle. Congratulations on your finalist. #9628051Joannie Bertucci August 25, 2011
The "eyes" have it, this is a true finalist! Congrats Michelle! #9629012Danny B. Head August 25, 2011
Great detail as well as colors! Congrats! #9629095Stefania Barbier August 25, 2011
WTG Michelle, congratulations!!! #9629165Phyllis H. Burchett August 25, 2011
Awesome Michelle, congrats! #9629592Kim Andelkovic August 25, 2011
Congrats Michelle......another beautiful finalist your doing great :-) #9629661Phyllis A. Houghton August 25, 2011
Wow such clarity, color and action. Congratulations on your finalist. #9629776Deborah Lewinson August 25, 2011
Congrats on another superb finalist, Michelle!Debby #9629784
Carol Eade August 25, 2011
Another beautiful finalist, Michelle, congratulations! #9629822Christine Lobsinger August 25, 2011
COngrAts to you Michelle, a lovely Finalist...Lorna Shutter August 25, 2011
Woo Hoo!!! WTG, Michelle!!!Karen Celella August 25, 2011
Congratulations on your THIRD finalist, Michelle. Keep them coming! #9630285Tammy Espino August 25, 2011
A huge congrats on your finalist!!!! :) #9630556Randy D. Dinkins August 25, 2011
Great catch, wonderful details! congratulations! #9630564Mukesh Srivastava August 25, 2011
A Big congrats for yet another Silver and good luck for the GOLD, Michelle!!!!! #9630628Stan Kwasniowski August 25, 2011
Michelle, congratulations #9631222Reynaldo D. Reyes August 25, 2011
Congratulations on this awesome finalist Michelle! #9631387Gina Cormier August 25, 2011
Congrats on this beautiful image! #9631607Ann Coates August 26, 2011
I'm glad you didn't kill them. They did you proud. Congratulations on another silver Michelle. #9632049Marijana Fajgl August 26, 2011
Amazing macro Michelle! Big congratulations! #9632332Thomas E. Hinds August 26, 2011
Another beautiful Finalist, Michelle! Loved this the first time I saw it! WTG! Congratulations (again)! #9632503frank w. degenhardt August 26, 2011
Well at least this pesky little fella got you a fantastic FINALIST my friend. CONGRATULATIONS and way to go. #9632666Emile Abbott August 26, 2011
I thought we would see this baby again. Magnificent finalist Michelle, Congratulations #9633156Eivor Kuchta August 26, 2011
I had a deer in my backyard the other day and it wasn't until it had jumped over the fence that I realized that it had been chewing on something. Yes, one more bell pepper was gone, so now I know how they disappear. The deer had also been munching on some tomato plants. You found some beautiful thieves, even though they caused some damage. Wonderful capture and congratulations on your finalist! #9633313Nancy L. Green August 26, 2011
CONGRATULATIONS Michelle, this is WONDERFUL!!! <>< #9633744Bill Johnson August 26, 2011
MIchelle, Congrats on your selections as a finalist. Good luck! #9633862David M. Montero August 26, 2011
Very cool Michelle. Congratulations on your Finalist selection. #9633865Ming Liu August 26, 2011
Wow, very cute image. Congrats on your finalist selection again. Good luck! #9634015Mariann Kovats August 26, 2011
A big congrats on our Gold, Michelle! #9634125Bojan Bencic August 26, 2011
Congratulations, Michelle! #9634169Phyllis H. Burchett August 26, 2011
BIG congrats Michelle on this fantastic winner!!! #9634230Tiia Vissak August 26, 2011
Congratulations! #9634238Renata Gusciora August 26, 2011
Huge congratulations on your fabulous Winner,Michelle!!!:-) #9634287Patrick Rouzes August 26, 2011
Congratulations on this amazing Winner, Michelle! WTG, my friend! #9634316Mitch Spence August 26, 2011
I can see this pretty gold just fine, Michelle. I do think you ought to go find this guy now and give him his own tomato plant as a reward. #9634363JO ANN CLEVELAND August 26, 2011
Big congratulations on this great 2nd Place Gold Winner Michelle!jo ann c. #9634431
Monnie Ryan August 26, 2011
Congratulations on your winning image, Michelle! #9634457Val Feldman August 26, 2011
Oy Vey! :) I missed this one as a Finalist...loved it first go-around and happy to see a well-deserved Gold attached to it now!! Huge congratulations, Michelle! #9634460Stefania Barbier August 26, 2011
wonderful winner, congratulations Michelle!!! #9634516Ming Liu August 26, 2011
Congratulations on your gold:) #9634637Debra R. Harder August 26, 2011
I remember this fabulous image! Huge congratulations, Michelle, on your OUTSTANDING GOLD WINNER! Deb #9634696Danny B. Head August 26, 2011
Such a grand winner! Congrats, Michelle! #9634790Jessica Jenney August 26, 2011
Congratulations, Michelle on your amazing win! #9634878Lorna Shutter August 26, 2011
CONGRATULATIONS on your 2nd Place Win, Michelle!!!!! :)Stephen Zacker August 26, 2011
Fantastic macro. Congratulations #9634948Thomas E. Hinds August 26, 2011
Huge congratulations, Michelle, on a well deserved Winner! #9635096Deborah Lewinson August 26, 2011
So glad to see this get the gold, Michelle!Hardy congrats on this brilliant winner!
Debby #9635298
David Phalen August 26, 2011
BIG Congrats on a fantastic Winner!! #9635339Tammy Espino August 26, 2011
Big congrats on your winner~ :) #9635542Carolyn Keiser August 26, 2011
Wow, fantastic, Michelle! A big congratulations!!! #9635549Wanda B. Anderson August 26, 2011
This one's a beauty! A well-deserved win! Congratulations! #9635577Mary Timman August 26, 2011
Huge Congratulations on a fantastic Winner! #9635674Bunny Snow August 26, 2011
Fantastic capture, sharp and detailed, perfect for a fantastic winner. Sorry about the cherry tomatoes in its V-8 before it went over the fence. But, that proves it was an organic tomato and you've done something wonderful for your body and the earth.Now, it's time to reward you for your actions, and congratulate you on your prize winning creation! #9635693
Rona L. Schwarz August 26, 2011
I never even got around to congratulating you on this Finalist, Michelle :( ! But getting to congratulate you on this GOLD WINNER is even better! Truly an inspirational macro and very fine image! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GOLD! #9635733Mary Dimitriw August 26, 2011
I missed this one before Michelle!! Simply awesome capture, congrats on your wonderful winner! #9635734Jack Gaskin August 26, 2011
I TIP THAT Oh God Hat to you ;0) !!!Jack #9635850
Michele Peterson August 26, 2011
Lol, what a story! Fantastic image, great details and perfect timing on getting that s-curve! Congratulations Michelle, on this super win!! #9635881Agnes Fegan August 26, 2011
Congratulations on your win Michelle! #9635886Stan Kwasniowski August 26, 2011
Michelle, congratulations #9635906Ann Coates August 26, 2011
Yeehah Michelle, so pleased to see this with the GOLD it deserves, congratulations. #9635933Robert K. Bemus August 26, 2011
Congratulations on your Win, Michelle!! #9635954Mary K. Robison August 27, 2011
This is a superb capture, Michelle.Kerry Penn August 27, 2011
Darned old buggers! If nothing else, at least you got a great shot from one of them. :) #9636249Carol Eade August 27, 2011
Beautiful macro, congratulations on your Second Place Gold, Michelle! #9636370Chris Budny August 27, 2011
Fantastic closeup winner, Michelle; love the details on the body--those little 'eye' patterns are amazing. Congratulations! #9636442Christine Lobsinger August 27, 2011
Fantastic WINNER - Congrats to you Michelle!!!Amanda J. Tanner August 27, 2011
Congratulations Michelle #9636647Patricia A. Casey August 27, 2011
Congratulations, Michelle....great story, great title and great capture! Cheers =^..^= #9636771Marijana Fajgl August 27, 2011
Big congratulations on your well deserved winner, Michelle! #9636916Diane E. Deming August 27, 2011
A BIG congratulations on this superb winner, Michelle. Once again the colors and details are outstanding! #9637180Emile Abbott August 27, 2011
Huge congratulation on your golden winner, Michelle WTG #9637372Kathy Cline August 27, 2011
Love it!Mike Clime August 27, 2011
Congratulations on your winner, Michelle! #9637803Bonnie C. Lackey August 27, 2011
I think I just lost interest in my glass of V8! This is just awesome, Michelle. Huge Congrats! #9637899Jeffrey R. Bange August 27, 2011
Congratulations Michelle on your second place gold, well deserved. #9637914Glenn E. Traver August 27, 2011
Congratulations Michelle, at least he was photogenic, well captured. "::::" and tossed. Yes this is a Beautiful Winner ~ GT #9638028Sharon Sawyer August 27, 2011
WTG, Michelle!!! HUGE congratulations on your amazing and well deserved winner! #9638045Ken Jarvis August 28, 2011
Big congrats on your winner! #9638269R. J. Laudenbacher August 28, 2011
Big congrats on your gold win Michelle! #9638358Brett Dolsen August 28, 2011
Congratulations on your superb winner Michelle!! #9638363Ujjwal Mukherjee August 28, 2011
AWESOME image and Winner!! HUGE Congratulations,Michelle!!!! #9638487Terry Cervi August 28, 2011
This is a fantastic macro, Michelle, and so worthy of a win! Congrats to you! #9638594Laura E. Swan August 28, 2011
ON THIS FANTASTIC GOLF WIN Michelle!
(I miss out on so many great images in the summer!!! So sorry!!! Well, better late than never, right?)
I love the eye balls all over him. I wonder what the creator was thinking when he made this bug? He must have been thinking about Egypt? HA!
I laughed when you said they are less happy now...Over the fence! Hope you preened a few tomatoes for yourself in the end, those darned vermin.
You know...The one great thing was that this little macro portrait went GOLD. NEVER tell them they are "famous" now or they will come back for an encore! :D
-Laura :D #9638612
ALLEN O. HOWARD August 28, 2011
WOW!!! Congratulations to you and this fantastic finalist/winner Michelle!!! #9639082David M. Montero August 28, 2011
Congratulations Michelle. WTG! #9639146Nadia Paul August 28, 2011
Wonderful capture Michelle - congrats on your win! #9639707Linda Blair August 29, 2011
Great winning image...congratulations!! #9640537Tarun Bose August 29, 2011
Congrats for your winner, Michelle. #9640765Patti Coblentz August 29, 2011
An incredible macro, Michelle...congratulations on your gold win!! What a fun thread, too :)) #9641053frank w. degenhardt August 29, 2011
Well, it got your tomato but at least it got you a Second Place Win. CONGRATULATIONS my friend. #9641701Mick Burkey August 30, 2011
Great capture, Michelle! Congratulations on your well-deserved win!! #9643256Ian M. Hill August 31, 2011
Stunning Michelle,congratulations on your win. #9645256Merna L. Nobile August 31, 2011
Great photographers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.
Congratulations for your achievement, August, 25, 2011. Merna
#9645406
Usman M. Bajwa August 31, 2011
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!!UB. #9645687
Heather Loewenhardt September 01, 2011
Congrats on your gold winner Michelle. Well deserved. #9645803Renee Doyle September 04, 2011
Belated but BIG congrats to you Michelle on this wonderful winner!! #9652272Shandel Brown September 05, 2011
What a beautiful shot Michelle! It looks like it has eyes all over it's body! #9654040John C. Ensign October 06, 2011
Wow I love this shot as do many others! I can see why it's a winner. #9721088Karen Rosenblum January 08, 2012
Another fabulous winner!!!! Wow! :) #9909789Terry Cervi March 23, 2016 1
Have always loved this one, Michelle! Fantastic job! #11450480Laura E. Swan March 23, 2016
What a wonderful thread to remind us that we are family and that we love your work. And now your little pals have gone DOUBLE GOLD! Congratulations on all of your wonderful story telling work, Michelle! -Laura :D #11450717Gaurav Kapoor May 21, 2016
amazing shot #11477115Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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