Mayflies Zoom In @ National Geographic Magazine

Mayflies

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Live Very Fast, Die Very Young
Photograph by József L. Szentpéteri

Bursting into brief adulthood, a male long-tailed mayfly molts on a tree root over the Tisza River. Once mature, males have only a few hours to find females and mate before both sexes die. Males' large eyes may help them identify partners.

Camera: Canon EOS 1N
Film Type: Fujichrome Velvia
Lens: 200mm
Speed and F-Stop: 1/250 @ f/5.6

Weather Conditions: Clear
Time of Day: Afternoon
Lighting Techniques: Natural light