Close encounter with a forest master beetle

Meet Trypocopris vernalis, also known as the spring dor beetle — one of the true “masters” of the forest floor. Yesterday, while exploring a beautiful larch and pine forest near Rijen and Oosterhout (the Surea area) with my wife, I spotted this little armored worker quietly making its way through the moss. The day was grey and moody, but a brief ray of sunlight broke through — just enough to bring out that deep black sheen that makes these beetles so mesmerizing up close.

This shot was taken with my Canon 7D Mark II and the Canon MP-E 65mm super macro lens at 5× magnification — a lens that truly lets you dive into another world. At this distance, even a beetle’s face feels monumental. You can see the fine texture of its exoskeleton, this time no grains of forest soil clinging to it, and even the subtle reflection of the forest canopy above.

Scientifically speaking, Trypocopris vernalis plays a vital role in the ecosystem. It’s a dung beetle — recycling nutrients, aerating soil, and quite literally keeping the forest clean. A quiet little hero beneath our feet.

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A quick morning snack for a starling.

Just a few days ago, I went for a small hike south of the Loonse & Drunense Duinen — a less-traveled area where nature still follows its own rhythm. Unlike busy forests that fall quiet when people arrive, here everything just… continues. That’s where I found this starling, perched high in a tree painted with the warm reds and golds of autumn, against a bright blue sky.

I grabbed my Canon 5D Mark IV with the Sigma 100–400mm, testing different compositions — and reminding myself (too late) to use my polariser for that extra sky contrast! Back home, this image stood out. The balance of colour was striking — the starling’s dark, iridescent feathers shimmering with hints of green and purple against that vivid backdrop. But what really made the shot special was the small detail: the moment the bird snatched a passing insect midair.

Starlings are quick and clever hunters; their eyes are adapted to detect the smallest movements even in bright light. No wonder they thrive in both cities and wildlands alike. To me, this photo captures that blend of elegance and instinct — nature’s little drama, frozen in a fraction of a second.

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The Quiet Life of Concrete Teddy – day#285 – year#12
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Jurassic Park II – Crashing Constructive Illusion – day#284 – year#12
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L’envers du décor – day#283 – year#12
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feat. – day#282 – year#12
Reprise du rôle d’Aristote dans Radio Banane de La Méandre
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Rejoindre le musée en barque – day#281 – year#12
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Right on Track! – day#280 – year#12
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PH018 – day#279 – year#12
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Après la chute – day#278 – year#12
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Capillarité et évaporation différée – day#277 – year#12
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Face au génocide – day#276 – year#12
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Les ombres grondent – day#275 – year#12
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Globalized American Tableau – day#274 – year#12
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Classe verte, salle 246 – day#272 – year#12
Punaise verte – Palomena prasina – Green shield bug
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Orange et rouge dans les derniers rayons – day#271 – year#12
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Murmure du sous-bois – day#270 – year#12
Vigne vierge – Parthenocissus quinquefolia – Virginia creeper
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recadrage – day#269 – year#12
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Jurassic Park – Concrete Crushing Instinct – day#268 – year#12
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Nuées Radiantes – day#267 – year#12
Un radiateur rose, des tuyaux bleus, et des reflets qui se dissipent en volutes. Entre plumes et nuages, la ville devient vapeur.
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