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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 196 - Uninvited >> Eligible > 8058 When There is Rain, There is Fire
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17-OCT-2009 John Prichard

8058 When There is Rain, There is Fire

Backyard, Allen, Tx

The Texas Fire Ant is legendary for its ferocious bite and relentlessly attacks on any provocation. When it rains like it has for the last 15 days, the mounds can be a foot tall. I poked the mound with a stick, snapped the shot, and ran like hell. The poison they inject will blister for a week. Fighting this creature takes a full military budget.

Canon PowerShot G9
1/250s f/4.0 at 25.0mm iso80 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge18-Oct-2009 23:19
Egads... something i would not want to step in for sure! My mother had a scar from an ant that got to her when she was little... almost like a deep indentation. Not sure if it was a red ant or not... Great capture. jano
Canon DSLR Challenge18-Oct-2009 20:44
I can attest to the ferocity of fire ants, as I stepped on a hill of them once when I was in Florida for a shuttle launch. You don't even know they're on you until they all bite/sting at once. I was on the side of a road and almost ran out into traffic to get away, leaving my sandals behind. I've learned to be very careful where I step.
--Mary Anne
ctfchallenge18-Oct-2009 16:32
Thanks for the visual. Something to keep in mind if visiting the southern part of USA. Shot at 25mm, can commend you on your bravery to even try to get this close. Was this shot cropped any? Would perhaps only crop off just a bit off the left. Perhaps just a sliver after the piece bright spots. Not as much to change the aspect ratio too much.

-Techo
ctfchallenge18-Oct-2009 01:33
oh my - the story is scary enough... the picture makes it come to life.
It's so cold here right now that I was thinking of moving - but I'll cross Texas off my list now.
Penny Street
ctfchallenge18-Oct-2009 01:02
Rod
Somehow your fire ant emigrated to Brisbane in the last four years & every sighting is quickly investigated & dealt with. We have enough man eating things down here without having these little buggers around. Apparently if they swarm all over you you're cactus.
ctfchallenge17-Oct-2009 23:47
My goodness. The ants here in Colorado are sissies compared to yours. You explanation makes it scary. -Doug