Nature Photography Contest 2020


August 11, 2020

Common blue on common bent

Captured on August 11th in front of c-building.

Public vote: 1. Place
July 20, 2020

Common moorhen in morning dew

Captured on July 20th 2020 at the pond.
July 06, 2020

Wasp spider

Captured on August 3rd at the wetlands close to IZB.
July 31, 2020

Rover’s landing

The image shows Braconid wasp landing on flowers. It is illuminated by a solar lamp, which gives a cosmic feeling to the scenery. Its lifestyle also refers to “invasion”, since it lays eggs inside a host insect and the larvae feed on the host.

Captured on July 31st 2020 at the meadow in front of main entrance.

July 31, 2020

Light as a feather

The common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) – its Latin name refers to mythological Icarus who used birds’ feathers to fly above the sea to escape from Crete island. This butterfly is very tiny with wingspan of 3.5 cm, which makes it delicate and unnoticeable when flying. It is also very sensitive to strong winds.

Captured on July 31st 2020 at the meadow in front of MPIN.

August 07, 2020

Sweet as sugar

The common blue butterfly – its caterpillars excrete a sweet substance which attracts ants who in turn protect them from predators by bringing them to the nest. The males have completely blue upper sides, whereas females, like the one in the photo, are brown with orange dots and a bit of blueish tint on their body.

Captured on August 7th 2020 at the meadow in front of main entrance.

July 06, 2020

Grey heron

Captured on July 6th 2020 at 14:01 at the pond.
June 12, 2020

Blue emperor

Captured on June 12th 2020 at 14:32 at the pond.
July 06, 2020

Common moorhen chick with water lilies

Captured on July 6th 2020 at 14:32 at the pond.
August 03, 2020

European goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis)

Captured on August 3rd 2020 in front of Borst department close to the large parking area.

Jury vote: 2. Place
Public vote: 3. Place
June 26, 2020

Common moorhens (Gallinula chloropus): Squab in front, followed by an adult (unknown gender)

Captured on June 26th 2020 at the pond.
June 23, 2020

Ant (probably Lasius niger) and bee (Apis melifera)

Captured on June 23rd 2020 in front of Borst department at the dry grassland planting area.

Jury vote: 1. Place
July 03, 2020

Grey heron at the pond

 

Captured at July 3, 2020 at the pond.
June 18, 2020

Cherry-picking fieldfare

 

Captured at June 18th 2020 in the trees next to main entrance.

June 18, 2020

European robin caught midsong

 

Captured on June 18th 2020 in the forest behind the MPI.

July 31, 2020

Lake

 

Captured on July 31st at the Pond.
July 31, 2020

Tree log as boundary

Captured on July 31st next to the path to the tennis courts.
July 31, 2020

Bike

Captured on July 31st at the walls of neurobiology building opposite of the workshops.
July 24, 2020

The brown Hare

It was a nice summer evening and I walked to the nearby woods next to the MPI for taking some photos for the competition. Honestly the only thing I expected to find were lots of flora and if I get lucky some birds. But suddenly I heard a noise a few yards away from me and I could only spot a pair of ears! This Hare was a master of camouflage. I tried for about 45 minutes to get a proper photograph of this animal and finally there he was between the trees. I had one chance, I shot the picture, he made eye contact for a few seconds and then he disappeared.

Captured at July 24th 2020 in the woods just behind the football field.

July 24, 2020

Birds on campus Martinsried

 

 

According to the Merlin Bird ID app this is a Juvenile "Great Tit", a common bird in the European woods and parks. I am not a bird watcher and did not have any interest in bird watching until now. I believe this competition has made me more curious about birds and thanks to Sabine Suppmann for introducing me to the Merlin app.

Captured at July 24th 2020 in the woods just behind the football field.

July 22, 2020

The hovering insect

While this seems to be a simple picture of the water lilies in the MPI pond, I was actually tracking an insect that was constantly moving from one water lily to another. One can see it hovering over the flower. It was a fascinating sight since the insect seemed to be totally busy and uninterrupted in the morning hours. It was definitely not a honey bee. Thanks to these tiny pollinators we enjoy the sight of these beautiful flowers and hopefully will see more water lilies soon.

Captured at July 22nd 2020 at the pond close to the guest house.

Swimming duck

'She is swimming toward you, focus with your camera!' my wife is excited about the friendly duck who does not seem afraid of biology scientists.

Captured on August 14th at the pond.

A glimpse of lake

'There is a baby duck, focus with your camera!' my wife is excited about the new comer of the lake.

Captured on August 14th 2020 at the pond.

August 09, 2020

Flowers

'Let’s take some pictures beside the lake, focus with your camera!' My wife loves dandelion and also a peaceful corner of the campus.

Captured on August 9th 2020 behind the pond.

Water lily in the sunset

Captured on July 9th around the pond close to LMU.

A working bumblebee

Captured on July 9th close to LMU campus.

A little cute chicken

Captured on July 6th 2020 at the pond next to the Max-Planck-Institute.
August 12, 2020

Photos of lichens' fluorescence under black light (UV) growing on stones.

These are the photos of lichens' fluorescence under black light (UV) growing on stones.

Each picture is overlay of 9-14 separate photos to make the illumination of scene more equal as I only have a pointed light source. The only editing done is white balance correction to remove excess blue of black light.

Captured on August 12th 2020 behind b/c buildings.

August 12, 2020

Photos of lichens' fluorescence under black light (UV) growing on stones.

These are the photos of lichens' fluorescence under black light (UV) growing on stones.

Each picture is overlay of 9-14 separate photos to make the illumination of scene more equal as I only have a pointed light source. The only editing done is white balance correction to remove excess blue of black light.

Captured on August 12th 2020 behind b/c buildings.

August 12, 2020

Photos of lichens' fluorescence under black light (UV) growing on stones.

These are the photos of lichens' fluorescence under black light (UV) growing on stones.

Each picture is overlay of 9-14 separate photos to make the illumination of scene more equal as I only have a pointed light source. The only editing done is white balance correction to remove excess blue of black light.

Captured on August 12th 2020 behind b/c buildings.

July 23, 2020

Rose chafer (Cetonia aurata) on wild carrot (Daucus carota)

Captured on July 23rd 2020 in the meadow between neurobiology building and parking space.

Jury vote: 2. Place
July 23, 2020

Syrphidae (possibly Metasyrphus corollae) on common chicory

Captured on July 23rd 2020 in the meadow between neurobiology building and parking space.
July 08, 2020

European serin (Serinus serinus)

Captured on July 8th 2020 left of the main entrance in front of the administration offices.
July 22, 2020

Picturesque Poppies

Shown are poppy flowers next to the corn field.

Captured on July 22nd 2020 between the soccer place and the road Am Klopferspitz.

July 22, 2020

Water Lilies on the Moody Pond

Shown are reeds and water lilies.

Captured on July 22nd 2020 at the pond next to the guesthouse.

July 22, 2020

Golden reeds bearing a resting Dragonfly

Shown are wood small-reeds with a resting dragonfly.

Captured on July 22nd 2020 next to the pond located close to the IZB.

August 15, 2020

Messy playground – Plants out of control

Captured at August 15th 2020 close to Neurobiology building.
August 15, 2020

Spider‘s garden – furry plants

Captured at August 15th 2020 behind the kindergarten.
August 15, 2020

Christmas in summer – A Christmas tree

Captured at August 15th 2020 close to Neurobiology building.
August 01, 2020

Grass under glass - Plexiglas panel in the meadow

Captured on August 1st 2020 in front of the glasshouse.
August 01, 2020

Nosedive - a crashed bumblebee

Captured at August 1st, 2020 on the road in front of the nitrogen tank.
August 01, 2020

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) in its natural habitat

Captured at August 1st 2020 in front of the former goat enclosure.
June 24, 2020

A hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) approaching

Captured June 23rd 2020 on the meadow next to the terrace.
July 25, 2020

European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) above wildflower meadow

Captured July 25th 2020 on the meadow next to the terrace.
June 23, 2020

A bee (Anthophila) approaching

Captured June 23rd 2020 on the meadow next to the terrace.
June 30, 2020

Lycanidid butterfly on wild flower

Captured on June 30th 2020 near Biokids 2.
July 03, 2020

Brown knapweed

Captured on July 3rd 2020 near Biokids 2.
July 15, 2020

Wild Teasel

Captured on July 15th 2020 between the main entrance and parking lot.
July 27, 2020

Relaxing

Common moorhen captured on August 14th 2020 at the pond next to the guesthouse.
July 25, 2020

King of the Forest

Song thrush captured on July 25th 2020 behind the rb building.
July 27, 2020

Hiding among plants

Common moorhen captured on July 27th 2020 in the pond next to the guesthouse.
July 20, 2020

Together at MPIB

Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) with another unknown insect doing their best together in the thistle blossoms.

Captured on July 20th 2020 in the front yard of MPIB main entrance.

July 27, 2020

Harmony

Butterfly (family Pieridae) enjoying the summer evening before calling it a day.

Captured at July 27nd 2020 at the bus stop.

July 22, 2020

Social distancing

European red slug (Arion rufus) and an ant (family Formicidae) social distancing on the way to MPIB.

Captured on July 22nd 2020 at backside way to MPIB, next to gardening area.

July 30, 2020

Reflection

Pond tortoise soaking up the early morning sun.

Captured on July 30th 2020 at the pond.

Jury vote: 3. Place

June 30, 2020

Silent Melody

Water lilies, beauty in bloom.

Captured on June 30th 2020 at the pond

June 30, 2020

Suspended in time

Dragonfly taking a rest.

Captured on June 30th 2020 at the pond.

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) - Royal blue

The blue dye was so rare, that it was a symbol for kings and sainthood, and generations of cultivators have tried and failed to grow a blue rose.
But the cornflower flaunts it self-evidently.
It has become very rare on the fields because of the heavy use of herbicides, but it has found a safe sanctuary on our campus.

Captured on July 31st 2020 at the border of the meadow.

Musk Mallow (Malva moschata) - Miraculous beauty

The Musk Mallow not only combines splendid beauty with a pleasing fragrance (hence its name), like many Mallows it is also a miraculous source of herbal remedies to help us fight off nasty cold viruses: A typical member of its family, the Malvaceae, which also gives us cotton, cacao and cola. How fitting for a Biochemistry campus.

Captured on July 8th 2020 at the waterside shrubbery next to the pond (top right).

Fringed Pink (Dianthus superbus) - Superb beauty on the roadside

Between asphalt and kerb I discovered this beauty on the parking space, from a distance inconspicuous like its English name, Fringed Pink, but close up fully justifying its scientific name: Dianthus superbus.

Captured on July 14th 2020 on the parking space.

August 09, 2020

A busy wasp flying to reach it´s next flower

Captured on August 9th 2020 backside of Mann department.
August 09, 2020

A Flower waiting to dance in the evening breeze

Captured on August 9th backside of Mann department.
August 09, 2020

A Beetle wanted to rest and spend the summer day with a sunbath

Captured on August 9th 2020 backside of Mann department.
June 23, 2020

You can see a hummingbird hawk-moth on an Echium vulgare flower

Captured on July 10th 2020 in the flower meadow next no neurobiology building.

Public vote: 2. Place
June 26, 2020

Held minimalistic

You can see the leaf structure of a Siberian bugloss plant.
Captured on June 25th 2020 close to the workshops.

June 26, 2020

You can see a butterfly (red admiral) on an Archillea millefolia flower

Captured on June 25th 2020 in the flower meadow next no neurobiology building.
June 30, 2020

Our institute is wonderfully located in the countryside

Captured on June 30th, 2020 at the bike parking rack next to visitor’s parking space.
June 30, 2020

Nature is reconquering its realm

Captured on June 30th 2020 at the bike parking rack next to visitor’s parking space.
June 30, 2020

Our main entrance in the glance of nature

Captured on June 30th 2020 at the bike parking rack next to visitor’s parking space.
August 15, 2020

Always smile

The thorny bulbs make the impression of a face.

Captured on August 15th in front of the Neurobiology entrance.

August 15, 2020

Warmth of Nature - like a cotton field

Captured on August 15th behind Biokids.

August 15, 2020

Perspective

Bloom between buds and tentacles.

Captured on August 15th in front of the Neurobiology entrance.

July 29, 2020

Brown knapweed

Captured on July 29th 2020 close to Biokids pond.

June 22, 2020

The Photo shows a tuft of grass in a crack in a wooden bench

Captured on June 22th 2020 in front of the main entrance.
July 01, 2020

Wild Teasel

Native to Eurasia and North Africa. Its inflorescence has been known to be used since the times of Ancient Egypt to comb fabrics, especially wool. While pollination is through bees (here shown), the spread of the seeding is guaranteed by the goldfinch (not shown). This synergy between plant and bird is celebrated in their Italian names, cardo selvatico and cardellino, respectively.

Captured on July 1st 2020 in front of the institute.

July 21, 2020

Wild Teasel

Native to Eurasia and North Africa. Its inflorescence has been known to be used since the times of Ancient Egypt to comb fabrics, especially wool. While pollination is through bees (here shown), the spread of the seeding is guaranteed by the goldfinch (not shown). This synergy between plant and bird is celebrated in their Italian names, cardo selvatico and cardellino, respectively.

Captured on July 21st in front of the institute.

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