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Male Epaulet Skimmer #5


Male Epaulet Skimmer #5
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 721 W: 3 N: 2283] (8134)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-23
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-21 4:49
Viewed: 293
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Epaulet Skimmer) (Male)#5

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.

*****************************

TFL!
Cheers,

Bayram
.
cunejo200, neusser0204, tanburi, tsesler, ayse51, norenastramus, zulfu, boomcat, colvert, milas has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To colvert: Hi Henriboreocypriensis 2 12-24 02:11
To ayse51: Merhababoreocypriensis 1 12-21 13:21
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Critiques [Translate]

Another impressive dragonfly to add to your gallery Bayram. Beautiful diagonal composition. Bright and with good focus on the antenna and eyes. My compliments and best regards...Danilo

Hello Bayram,
Very good shot!
Great details and very good POV and composition.
The dragonfly looks as if it was really posing for you.I like it very much.
Best regards Siegfried

Look into my impressive blue eyes - she seems to say ;-) Lovely moment, thanks my friend
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Renkli detaylar harika.
Muhteşem bir macro.
Eline sağlık. Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

Selam Bayram Hoca,
İnsandsan çok ürken bu hayvancıkları fotoğraflamak herhalde büyük sabır ve ustalık işi. Tebrikler ve teşekkürler
Selahattin E

Hi again Bayram, great frontal POV for this lovely dragonfly with fantastic details and spendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Merhaba Hocam,
Mükemmel bir makro çalışmaya daha imza imza atmışsınız.Netlik, ışık, renk ve detaylar şahane.Elinize sağlık.Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

Merhaba Bayram Bey,nefis bir fotoğraf daha.Diagonal kompozisyon şahane olmuş,hem fotoğrafçılığınızı hem de bilim adamı duyarlılığınızı yürekten kutluyorum,selamlar:)

Tekrar merhaba Bayram Kardeşim;)
yine gözgöre gelmişsiniz bakıyorum;)
sanki biraz sinirli gibi bakıyor mu ne;)
yine harika olmuş,
ellerine ve gören gözlerine sağlık,
selamlar,
Taner

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1695 W: 124 N: 1443] (20454)
  • [2008-12-21 12:57]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayran bey,
güzel tasarlanmış bir macro.çekimler çok güzel.Bunları anlatan bir ders kitabınız var mı? Merak ettim.Ellerinize sağlık.Necla.

Merhaba Bayram

Netlik, Renk tonları ve ışık kullanımı detayları çok güzel.
Harika bir makro olmuş,Ellerinize
emeğinize sağlık.

Selamlar
H.Ayhan

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2008-12-21 22:16]

Bayram hocam günaydın, frontal bakış açısından harika bir makro. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Merhaba Bayram Hocam
Netliği, renkleri ve detayları ile sıradışı bir makro olmuş
Elinize sağlık
Burak

a lovely shot again, Bayram :) only the left eye though.. composition and detail on the other part of his body sharp though.. well taken and presented.. tfs..

regards, terry

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2641 W: 1 N: 1262] (15439)
  • [2008-12-22 0:15]

Hola amigo,
monocromática macro,
buen foco y pov...
atractivos detalles e iluminación...
saludos Bay.

Another very beautiful shot,Bayram.I see the white mark is on the left eyes , so either it is not the same insect, either it is the flash ?
I notice you tell of "Damselflies of Georgia", so that I think it is an adaptation of our "demoiselle"( = Miss) in french which designs little blue draonflies; maybe is it to mark the difference in english between great and little ones?

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2726 W: 412 N: 2986] (32791)
  • [2008-12-22 11:53]

merhaba Bayram bey...
yine güzel bir detay çalışması ve açıklayıcı notu...tebrikler...selamlar

Hello Bayram,

Excellent macro with greta POV and beautiful colors.
Congratulations and TFS.
Sergio

  • Great 
  • soe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 402 W: 0 N: 107] (2461)
  • [2009-05-05 21:37]

Salam Bayram
One more beautiful micro shot of insert with detail, sharpness with light and shade.Nice capture and presentation.
Tin Soe

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