We rarely see insects in close up, unless we wake up from a nap outside on a spring day and find one creeping slowly across our eyeball, various proboscii dripping. And even (perhaps especially!) in that circumstance, we don't appreciate how beautiful insects can be.

This gallery has a number of macro-photographs of various insects, including caterpillars, bees, walking sticks, dragon flies and some strange forms of mantises. There is also a frog for some reason... just because.

I am particularly fond of the caterpillar to the right, rubbing its nubby appendages together and contemplating its own master plan for conquering the earth.

Macro Photography Of Insects [Pishmo.com]