Bullet ant posing - side view, La Isla Escondida, Colombia
Disclaimer: this bullet ant was found by our guide in the forest of La Isla Escondida. Next it was fridged for 20 minutes to calm it down, photographed for 5 mins on a table, and then released, alive and seemingly unharmed. I'm not a big fan of the practice of fridging. I don't judge others doing it, I just try to be as least invasive as possible when photographing subjects, as I do not think my wish for a photo outweighs the well-being of the subject. I did not fridge this one, but I did not stop it either.
On the upside, it seemed fine and it's not every day that you can take macro shots of a bullet ant inches away from your head and it being relatively calm. Which didn't last long. It was rubbing and cleaning itself to warm up, making a pretty angry impression, and rightfully so. It became more active with every passing second, so I hope you enjoy the few quick shots I could get of this ticking time bomb.
"Paraponera" is a genus of ant consisting of a single species, commonly known as the lesser giant hunting ant, conga ant, or bullet ant, named on account of its powerful and potent sting, which is said to be as painful as being shot with a bullet. It inhabits humid lowland rainforests from Nicaragua south to Paraguay.
