Dragonflies

At last things are beginning to catch up. A brief early morning visit to a local nature reserve to shoot a cover for a new quick reference guide to dragonflies produced a few interesting images. This publication, which I have just completed with my coauthor Brian Nelson will be available shortly. Watch the blog for more information about the release date. Dragonflies are always difficult and challenging insects to photograph. Early morning visits when the temperature is much cooler is the best time to look and photograph these magnificent insects.

 The blue damselflies pose the biggest problem for most people to identify correctly. Species can vary and sometimes the major diagnostic features can be altered or even missing. In this case the black connecting bare on segment 2 is missing, which is normally a key feature for separating it from the Azure Damselfly. It does however have the post-ocular bar between the eyes. 

Nikon D800 + 200mm macro lens, fill-flash, tripod.

 

I spotted this freshly emerged female complete with exuvia on my way back to the car. I used a long lens to keep the bog pool and distant vegetation well diffused. I was flat on my chest to get the camera right down to water level to keep it parallel with the subject.

Nikon D800 + 300mm 2.8 lens, fill-flash, tripod.

 

 

 The female form melanotum at rest among the vegetation. Note the dropped wing position below the abdomen, which is typical of this species.

Nikon D800 + 200mm macro lens, fill flash, tripod.

 

Mature male in typical resting posture.

Nikon D800 + 200mm macro lens, fill-flash, tripod.

 

This image was a combination of luck and a diligent eye scanning the vegetation as I walked along the main path. I noticed tis mature male perched on a small birch tree at the edge of the main ramp. The sun had just gone in so it had settled among the foliage. I waited for several minutes and then slowly approached it using a 300mm lens to keep my distance minimising my chances of spooking the insect, which was already at flight temperature. I managed a number of shots in both formats before the sun reappeared and it was off. The persistent breeze made it a bit more challenging and a number of images were slightly soft. For me this was the image of the early morning session and the cover shot I was looking for!

Nikon D800 + 300mm 2.8 lens, fill-flash, tripod.