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.

#TrypocoprisVernalis #BeetlePhotography #MacroPhotography #SuperMacro #Canon7DMarkII #CanonMPE65mm #ForestMaster #MacroWorld #WildlifeMacro #NaturePhotography #ByMaikelPhotography #DutchNature #Oosterhout #Rijen #Surea #MossForest #LarchForest #InsectPhotography #MacroDetails #CloseUpPhotography #WildlifeLovers #EcoPhotography #Biodiversity #DungBeetle #NatureStory #InsectWorld #MicroWorld #CanonMacro #NaturalBalance #WildlifeConservation #InTheForest #MacroArt #NatureCloseUp #PhotoStory #NatureLovers #FieldPhotography #MacroMagic #WildlifeMacroPhotography #CanonEurope #ForestEcosystem #TinyWorld
Flame Skimmer dragonfly resting on a green branch. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. #laarboretum #dragonfly #flameskimmer #insect #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4
Flame Skimmer dragonfly resting on a green branch. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. #laarboretum #dragonfly #flameskimmer #insect #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Einen schönen Guten Morgen und einen guten Wochenstart! 😀 👋

Zum heutigen #Schmetterlingsmontag ein Kleiner Fuchs (Aglais urticae). Der Edelfalter hat seinen Namen von der Färbung seiner Flügel.

#schmetterlinge #butterfly #insekten #insectphotography #insects #tiere #animals #fotografie #photography #Photographie #foto #animalphotography #biology #natur #nature #naturephotography

A Speckled Wood butterfly enjoying the unseasonably warm afternoon at Stockers Lake

#nature #Butterflies #Wildlife #photography #NaturePhotography #InsectPhotography #InsectsOfMastodon #UK

Mantis
Either a American Grass Mantis or Slender Prairie Mantis. I'm surprised I got such a good shot of her, I had to put my camera on the ground and hope the shots were good.

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#photo #photography #insect #insectphotography #animalphotography #naturephotography, #prayingmantis #microphotography #Denver #Colorado

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, resting on a branch. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October, 2025. #laarboretum #butterfly #gulffritillary #insect #butterflyphotography #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, resting on a branch. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. October, 2025. #laarboretum #butterfly #gulffritillary #insect #butterflyphotography #insectphotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4