Dragonfly Exuvia

I was lucky enough to find this wonderfully preserved dragonfly exuvia. I did the obligatory field-shots and then took the exuvia home to do some studio shots where I wanted to experiment with magnification and lighting. The first shot is a natural light which I used as my starting point. I rather like the dramatic lighting and the way the light falls on the top-half of the exuvia helping to give a three-dimensional look.

Stunning work, each image gets more amazing

excellent set alex.

Thanks for your comments, NSNO and Denis - much appreciated.

Superb macro pics of it - did you find out which DF emerged from it? Im not very good in the larvae ID side.

Linda

Thanks for your comments, Linda. In order to help me identify the dragonfly exuvia I have taken a shot looking directly down onto the head and compared it with the excellent identification diagram in 'Britain's Dragonflies' (p199) field guide by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash. The nearest characteristics are those of the Aeshna hawkers having large eyes (A about half as long as B); head pentagonal from above with angled rear edge. Hawker larvae are also between 30mm to 40mm in length (my specimen is 40mm). They also have long torpedo shaped-bodies a flat labium with pincers at the front and 6 to 7 antennal segments - just like my specimen.

Wonderful series- also esp like #1
Brian v.

Amazing set, Alex. The full-body captures look better in color

Poyatos wrote in post #17074266
Thanks for your comments, Linda. In order to help me identify the dragonfly exuvia I have taken a shot looking directly down onto the head and compared it with the excellent identification diagram in 'Britain's Dragonflies' (p199) field guide by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash. The nearest characteristics are those of the Aeshna hawkers having large eyes (A about half as long as B); head pentagonal from above with angled rear edge. Hawker larvae are also between 30mm to 40mm in length (my specimen is 40mm). They also have long torpedo shaped-bodies a flat labium with pincers at the front and 6 to 7 antennal segments - just like my specimen.

Yep, you should now be able to get down to which one by studying the segments on the abdomen. If you really want a better book that has first class diagrams etc there are the Steve Cham books. I have the first one - Field Guide to the largvae and exuviae of British Dragonflies, Volume 1: Dragonflies.

I dont have time at the moment to study yours (too many other things I am doing at the mo lol), but there are several people out there that can ID it for you.

Are you a member of UK Dragonflies? If not, take a look, its a very friendly community there and plenty of help when needed:
http://www.ukdragonfli​es.com/

Linda

Brian and Travis, thank you for your comments.

Linda, a special thank you for your helpful suggestions. I have ordered Steve Cham's book and notice that volumes one and two are now included in the latest edition of his field guide to larvae and exuviae. One of the things I enjoy most about macro is that it opens one's eyes to the beauty of the natural world while also encouraging me to play detective.

Poyatos wrote in post #17075145
Brian and Travis, thank you for your comments.

Linda, a special thank you for your helpful suggestions. I have ordered Steve Cham's book and notice that volumes one and two are now included in the latest edition of his field guide to larvae and exuviae. One of the things I enjoy most about macro is that it opens one's eyes to the beauty of the natural world while also encouraging me to play detective.

Excellent, you won't be disappointed with the books. Macro certainly opens your eyes to a whole host of things you never knew existed, some are quite bizarre lol

Linda

Great shots, I really like these but I also like the B&W treatment in your other thread.