October Dragons Series 1

Very Nicely done. Thanks!

Crosswind81 wrote in post #4061668
Very Nicely done. Thanks!

Thank you!

Amazing photos.
I also appreciate the time & effort you spend teaching other about you techniques.
Thanks.

Lovely series John
Let us know what your conclusions are
Brian V.

I can second Dalantech's technique of snapping darters in the warmest part of the day, but it varies according to the time of year. Earlier in summer they are more more skittish. This time of the year, when they are warming up then they are less alert, but the males are also less inclined to guard their perch and will fly away if startled. When they are warmed up and ready to repel other males they will be more likely to stand their ground, darting off to attack then returning. So even if they fly away when you approach, the chances are they will return to the same spot. Approach gradually and they will eventually not bother to fly away at all. As the sun is setting is another good time as the light is better and you will be more likely to catch them on high perches for better bokeh.
Beautiful set DT.

roli_bark wrote in post #4061750
Amazing photos.
I also appreciate the time & effort you spend teaching other about you techniques.
Thanks.

Paying my dues...

LordV wrote in post #4061832
Lovely series John
Let us know what your conclusions are
Brian V.

Will do my friend -should be soon.

eccles wrote in post #4062095
I can second Dalantech's technique of snapping darters in the warmest part of the day, but it varies according to the time of year. Earlier in summer they are more more skittish. This time of the year, when they are warming up then they are less alert, but the males are also less inclined to guard their perch and will fly away if startled. When they are warmed up and ready to repel other males they will be more likely to stand their ground, darting off to attack then returning. So even if they fly away when you approach, the chances are they will return to the same spot. Approach gradually and they will eventually not bother to fly away at all. As the sun is setting is another good time as the light is better and you will be more likely to catch them on high perches for better bokeh.
Beautiful set DT.

Thanks. They don't sit perfectly still for me -very common to scare one off but if I back away and / or freeze the critter will come right back. Sometimes I can hold out my hand and it will perch on me -you can see my finger in the bottom left corner of this one:

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More DF shots John, I just love the detail in your shots.

Great shots

Brilliant series of shots - colour and detail superb!

Attic wrote in post #4062295
More DF shots John, I just love the detail in your shots.

Thanks Alby! I need to shoot more than just dragons though, but right now it's all I have time for (the lake is on my way home).

Omri Alon wrote in post #4062516
Great shots

Thanks Omri!

DaveBinks wrote in post #4062887
Brilliant series of shots - colour and detail superb!

Thanks Dave!

Great shots Dal,
I'm a very newbie in macro, but getting addicted now.
I have a cannon 100mm f2.8. Can you or anyone explain what I need to do to get my lens up to 5:1. The 5x picture above that you took at 5:1, is that right? It's really impressing me.
Thanks again Dal.