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Male Epaulet Skimmer


Male Epaulet Skimmer
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 718 W: 3 N: 2270] (8096)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-22
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-17 15:32
Viewed: 322
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Epaulet Skimmer) (Male)

Epaulet Skimmer is one of the tropical Africa's commonest dragonflies, extending to Rhodes, Cyprus, southern coastal Turkey and southern Spain. It is ubiquitous outside forests throughout Africa. Not uncommon in southern Iberia, the Canaries, coastal Turkey and adjacent Greek islands. However, I observed this species frequently in Lapithos (Cyprus). Usually easily distinguished by its 'epaulet': broad white badges bordered with black on each 'shoulder'. Total body length 39-48 mm, Abdomen length 26-33mm.

Epaulet Skimmer’s size is near O. brunneum (Southern Skimmer) and especially O. coerulescens (Keeled Skimmer). One of several similar species with a largely pruinose body in the mature male and a yellowish pterostigma. Diagnostic features are:
(1) abdomen rather slender and waisted near base; constricted between 3rd and 4th segments when seen from above;
(2) thorax with a conspicuous whitish stripe beneath each forewing distinctive white 'epaulet' bordered with black base, accentuated by black lines on both sides (note that this is obscured in old males);
(3) membranules (-roughly triangular opaque membrane on posterior side of the wing base, largest in hindwing-) are sooty and usually bordered by a small yellow patch. In other species, the hindwing base is generally clear.
The larger, broader-bodied and unwaisted O. brunneum and O. nitidinerve (Yellow-veined Skimmer) lack pale stripes on the thorax, and have whitish membranules. In the smaller O. coerulescens, the stripes lie more anteriorly and are less white. In the even smaller O. taeniolatum (Small Skimmer) there are three stripes on each side, and these are accentuated by a black line on only one side. Both smaller species are unwaisted and have grey-brown membranules. Hamule with a broad hook that dwarfs a small, but separate, lobe beside it.

In Turkey, said to perch rarely on the ground or rocks, and never in the obelisk position (in contrast to O. taeniolatum). Its habitat includes the larger streams and shallow still waters in open landscapes. Its flight season in Turkey, recorded from April to the end of August. In north-west Africa, up until November and suspected to be on the wing around the year. Apparently, the Cypriot form of the species is different in flight season as well as perching behaviour.

References:

1. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp.
2. Dijkstra K.-D. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe including Western Turkey and noth-Western Africa. British Wildlife Publishing, Dorset, UK. 320 pp.
3. Beaton, G. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Soustheast. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 355 pp.

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TFL!
Cheers,

Bayram Göçmen
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voxdeejay, lilimih33, tsesler, burak28, tanburi, Silvio2006, milas, neusser0204, juyona, colvert, ayse51, Fortuna, zulfu has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To voxdeejay: hiboreocypriensis 1 12-17 15:52
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Critiques [Translate]

Wow!
What a contrast and sharpness, nice colors...
Pitty for the BG, almost the same with the FG.
You exagerate a bit with your note(very professional indeed).
Regards,
vox

Hello Bayram!
Perfect focus, good sharpmness in your picture!
Excellent dragonfly capture!
Wonderful colours, good light, nice point of view!
Best regards!
Lili

hello Bayram,

i noticed that the colours of your subject become bolder and bright each day.. and i certainly love it.. perfect sharpness and detail of the dragonfly.. excellent work.. tfs..

regards, terry

Günaydın Bayram Kardeşim,
gri ve pembenin tatlı uyumunu her zaman beğenmişimdir, sen de burada bu harika renk kombinasyonunu ustalıkla yakalamışsın,
netlik ve detaylar mükemmel,
ellerine sağlık,
selamlar,
Taner

Merhaba Bayram Hocam
Gerek detayları ile gerekse de renkleriyle gerçekten sıradışı bir makro
Mükemmel bir çalışma
Elinize sağlık
Burak

Hi my beloved friend Bayram, an other fantastic dragonfly, you have a lot of this, superb macro with splendid light, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, bravo, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 595 W: 0 N: 957] (4608)
  • [2008-12-18 3:40]

Hi Bayram,
youre accelerating very well in this trek. With those lovely and very academic and educational shot, it is not a surprise. You have produced and presented lovely and well.
Besides the skimmer the flower its perching on is also very impressive
A nice shot and plesantly composed.

Regards,
Foozi

Selam Bayram Hoca,
Olağan üstü bir güzelliği hoş bir kompozisyon ve doğal ortamı içinde sunmuşsunuz. Etkileyici bir doğa belgeseli..tebrikler
TFS
Selahattin E

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2726 W: 412 N: 2985] (32789)
  • [2008-12-18 6:19]

Merhaba Bayram bey...
ne güzel bir macro çalışması, renk, ışık ve netlik harika, tanıtıcı bilgi nolu her zamanki gibi güzel ve doyurucu, elinize sağlık...selamlar

Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Bu muhteşem renkli sivri sinekler beni çocukluğumun
güzel anılarına götürdüğü için sevimli geliyor...
Harika bir sunum daha. Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

Hello Bayram
Very nice close up with perfect lighting,framing and details.I liked composition very much.TFS.Best regards
Siegfried

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2641 W: 1 N: 1262] (15439)
  • [2008-12-18 10:53]

Hola Bay,
interesting pov,
focus and details.
strong illumination,
saludos

bonsoir Bayram
I'll no longer dare to speak of dragonflies common name since you know them all by their "little first name".Fortunately I can learn more and more about them; and this one is yet very sharp with its beautiful wings and light blue body

Merhaba Bayram Hocam,
Muhteşem netlik ve detaylarda bir makro çalışma.Elinize sağlık,
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1688 W: 124 N: 1438] (20372)
  • [2008-12-19 3:02]

Merhaba Bayram bey,
gene mükemmel bir macro.Çiçeğin pembe rengi kompozisyonu güçlendirmiş.Tebrikler.Necla.

Excellent macro image. Superb tranparent effect. Nature is always beautiful.

Hi Bayram,

Great macro as always!
Congratulations!
Sergio

  • Good 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2008-12-21 22:22]

:) arızalar sadece TN de değil belli hocam. Beyfendinin çektiklerine baktım da, hepsinde neredeyse netlik problemi var.:) bulaşmamışsınız fazla. Ben yine dengeleyici olcam ve muhteşem makronuza 1'lik gülseyececeğim:)
Teşekkürler ve saygılar hocam.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • soe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 402 W: 0 N: 107] (2461)
  • [2009-06-30 2:54]

Salam Bayram
Wonderful capture of dragonfly. Wonderful sharpness and detail with nice color. Beautiful lighting and great POV.
Tin Soe

Hi Bayram,
I have read in the "red list" that is not a kind in danger.
Macro day-dreams with perfect details.
A dear regard.
Ciao Mari

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