Dragonfly

Common darter female shot yesterday.
Canon S3 + 500D

MIME changed to 'text/html' | Content warning: script

MIME changed to 'text/html' | Content warning: script

Nice. I have a hard time with the 500D's small focus range, plus my eyes aren't that good.
I use a Pro1 but I haven't been able to get real good pictures as you have.

Nice shot, I managed to photograph one yesterday for the first time, they really sparkle in the sunshine.

Thanks guys.
@Patrick, I've been using Av on my S3 set to about F5 or F6 which gives a tolerable depth of field with the 500D.
@Biko, I'm nuts about dragonflies. I think they're awesome insects. I can sit and watch an emperor hunt as avidly as Bill Oddie watches a hawk.

The colors are really good Great pics

Nice!

Colourful looking Dragonfly, nicely captured. How long do they stay perched like that btw? I'm looking forward to trying to catch a few Dragonflies/Damselflie​s in the coming spring/summer, trying to gauge how difficult it's going to be

Dave

Lovely shot- excellent composition
Brian V.

dpastern wrote:
Colourful looking Dragonfly, nicely captured. How long do they stay perched like that btw? I'm looking forward to trying to catch a few Dragonflies/Damselflie​s in the coming spring/summer, trying to gauge how difficult it's going to be

Dave

Dave- answer as usual is it depends. I've spent 30 mins shooting one of these on a perch anything from 24 inches to 2 inches focus distance and then getting it to climb on my finger for an encore. Othertimes I've not been able to get closer than about 3 feet without it flying off. If you disturb one though often if you step back they will re-settle on the same perch.
Brian V.

Thanks for the nice words, all.
@dpastern, further to Brian's comment, this particular female was disturbed once. I let it settle for a minute or so then crept slowly up to it. Once the shooting distance was safely attained, then I was able to fire away without problem. Getting close to some species such as male emperor dragonflies is more difficult. The noise of my lens popping out when turning on the camera from about five feet away was once enough to send one up into the trees.
Watch your feet/camera straps/dangling lens hoods etc - dragonflies have about the best eyes of all the insects with good peripheral vision and any sudden movement from any of these may spook it. They don't have ears as such but they do sense vibration so keep quiet.
HTH,
Eccles.

very nice composition in this....
great shot