Life on an Inland Sand Dune

Pinhey Sand Dune, deposited with the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the last ice age 10,000 years ago, is an interesting place to visit. It's only a shadow of its former self, and a group of volunteers are working with the National Capital Commission to keep it from dissappearing completely. There are many locally rare insects found here. I've included an picture of the landscape along with my images of three kinds of tiger beetles.

Attachment 15610

Big Sand Tiger Beetle - Cicindela Formosa. These are pretty big ones - 15mm.
Attachment 15611

Ghost Tiger Beetle - Ellipsoptera Lepida. Size = 9mm. Very well camouflaged on the white sand. Easiest to find by looking for the shadow it casts.
Attachment 15609

Festive Tiger Beetle - Cicindela Scutellaris Lecontei. Size = 10mm
Attachment 15608

Nice set Doug - I like the foreground shot as a reference for the close-ups.

Nice sharp macros. You are making me think twice before I go and lay on a beach now.

Really cool macro shots. The sand makes a nice background too.

Awesome captures of the insect life on the dune, Doug. Thanks for sharing these.