<< Previous Next >>

Dragonfly close up


Dragonfly close up
Photo Information
Copyright: Christan Rapp (c_rapp) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 20 N: 1282] (7282)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-12
Categories: Daily Life, Nature, Decisive Moment, Experimental, Macro
Camera: Sony Alpha DSLR 350, Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Nature: Fabolous Beauty [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-16 13:52
Viewed: 188
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dragonflies are similar to damselflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most dragonflies are held away from, and perpendicular to, the body when at rest. Even though dragonflies possess 6 legs like any other insect, they are not capable of walking.

Dragonflies are valuable predators that eat mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants, and butterflies. They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic.

Nymphs can deliver a painful bite when threatened. The wound should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent water-borne infections.

Female dragonfly lay eggs in or near water, often on floating or emergent plants. When laying eggs, some species will submerge themselves completely in order to lay their eggs on a good surface. The eggs then hatch into nymphs. Most of a dragonfly's life is spent in the naiad (that is, nymph) form, beneath the water's surface, using extendable jaws to catch other invertebrates or even vertebrates such as tadpoles, fish, etc. They breathe through gills in their rectum, and can rapidly propel themselves by suddenly expelling water through the anus. Some nymphs even hunt on land, an aptitude which could easily have been more common in ancient times when terrestrial predators were clumsier.

The larval stage of large dragonflies may last as long as five years. In smaller species, this stage may last between two months and three years. When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed or other emergent plant. Exposure to air causes the larvae to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, pumps up its wings, and flies off to feed on midges and flies. The adult stage of larger species of dragonfly can last as long as five or six years.
(Note from Wikipedia)

Hope you all enjoy!!
Urfaust, DzULA, CallMeMaria, HienVy, Beger, TheMystic, Doupdidou has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To GreenBaron: whole fellac_rapp 2 08-05 12:36
To kickback: I laughed too!!c_rapp 1 07-16 20:44
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Wow! This is amazing!
So many details, rich colours and a 3D-effect. Perfect use of light, sharpness is perfect, composition and everything else, too.
I'm stunned.
The only thing is I would have liked to know something about the where and how on this image...
Thanks for sharing this magnificent shot.
Kindest regards, Britta

wow, thats an interesting read, they breathe from gills in their butt! and they propell themselves from shooting water from their butt!
hahaha, had to laugh...such an awesome photo again, amazing, will we ever see the photos you took that day of the place you went to take photos of?
thanks,
scott

ciao Christan..
no words!! simply incredible!!
you are close to become a perfect photographer of National Geographic!
i'm speachless! many thanks
ciao Marco

  • Great 
  • bri Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 357 W: 0 N: 426] (2313)
  • [2009-07-16 15:38]

Hi Christan.
What a fantastic shot, the colours are outstanding, presumably that is the carcass of the lava that it has just came out of. The detail you have caught is amazing. TFS
Bri

  • Great 
  • DzULA Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 56 W: 19 N: 10] (984)
  • [2009-07-16 15:53]

Very interesting photo, a dragonfly with so much colors and details...

Greetings
DzULA

Hi Christian,
This is absolutely spectacular! I don't think I ever saw such amazing details and texture of a dragonfly.
TFS this wonderful macro.
Regards,
Lurdes

What a great macro! The details are incredible, as in veins of the wings! Fantastic, Christian. Congratulations and thanks for share with us.
Abraço,
Shyguek

Beautiful macro, Christan.
The green color of the dragonfly is so pretty.
TFS
Hien Vy

This one is amazing Christan - you have captured such detail and used the closed-down aperture to such effect.
Great job
Rew

  • Great 
  • Beger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3312 W: 788 N: 4424] (19908)
  • [2009-07-16 18:48]

Hi Christan,
Superb macro! The clarity on the wing is terrific, as the beautiful rendering of colors!
And what a scene full of drama!
Bravo! Annie

Beautiful picture of a birth of a dragonfly

Now that's a close up of a dragon fly! Great detail! Really great shot.

Chuck

Hi Christan,
Missed your last postings, sorry. This is a nice one, great sharpness showing all those "glass stained" wings. Great image although whished you captured the whole fella :-)
Fine posting my dear.
Hans

Hello Christan,

That shot is amazing! So many details in the wings! I also like the contrast between the vivid green and the soft colors of the rocks.

Of course, it would have been fantastic if you could have caught the whole wings! Also, the short DOF leaves other parts out of focus.

Still, this picture shows beautifully the complex patterns of this insect. And you note is very informative.

Thanks a lot for sharing!

Mireille

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF