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Male Epaulet Skimmer #2


Male Epaulet Skimmer #2
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 748 W: 3 N: 2337] (8312)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-21
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-18 15:12
Viewed: 297
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Epaulet Skimmer) (Male)#2

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
.
tanburi, tsesler, burak28, boomcat, ayse51, milas, neusser0204, zulfu, CallMeMaria has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Selam Bayram Hoca,
Koleksiyonumuz giderek zenginleşiyor. Hem bilimsel hem de sanatsal anlamda.
Çok çok güzel
Selahattin E

Günaydın Bayram Kardeşim,
haika bir açı yakalamışsın, gözgöze gelmişsiniz adeta;)
netlik ve detaylar muhteşem olmuş,
ellerine sağlık,
selamlar,
Taner

Ooooooo Bayram Bey,olağanüstü bir çekim,teknik ve sanatsal kriteleri tam anlamıyla üzerinde toplamış bir kare.Siz bir harikasınız,selamlar:)

Merhaba Bayram Hocam
Olağanüstü bir makro
Gözlerindeki gözenekleri görebiliyorum
İyi günler
Burak

  • Great 
  • KBE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 452 W: 103 N: 597] (2759)
  • [2008-12-18 23:45]

Hi Bayram
Nice macro very sharp nicely captured, Great DOF
Reflection if light in his eye is very diff :)

TFs
Cheers
JZM

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 597 W: 0 N: 958] (4614)
  • [2008-12-19 0:28]

Merhaba Bayram,
very nice frontal shot and very
different capture of the skimmer.
Supers clarity with excelent majestic approach with brilliant close-up of the head.
Well presented.

Regards,
Foozi

Hi
Great shot but ashame for the bottle. Here in Chengdu they seem to fly away to quickly for a good macro shot (I'm using 100mm).
Cheers
David

hello Bayram,

everything is perfect except for the right OE eye.. it will be much better if you have clone it.. anyway still a lovely close up.. nice composition and detail.. tfs..

regards, terry

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2646 W: 1 N: 1268] (15457)
  • [2008-12-19 1:59]

Buenos días amigo,
perfect perspective,
very good macro with excellent frame,
saludos Bay

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1720 W: 124 N: 1473] (20800)
  • [2008-12-19 3:05]

Merhaba Bayram bey,
farklı bir açıdan alınmış gene çok güzel bir makro.Tebrikler.Necla.

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2743 W: 412 N: 2987] (32963)
  • [2008-12-19 8:03]

Merhaba Bayram bey...
Geldiğinizden bu yana en güzel macro bu bence, harika netlik ve renkler...ne güzel bir paylaşım ve doyurucu notunuzla tam not...tebrikler...selam ve saygılarımla...

Merhaba Bayram, fantastic portrait of beauitiful dragonfly, amazing details and splendid focus, very well done, ciao Silvio

Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Apachi helikopterleri herhalde bu canlıdan
esinlenilerek yapıldı!!!...Muhteşem canlı
bir çekim. Eline sağlık. Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

Hello Bayram
This is fantastic. Your picture is so sharp and clear and detailed. I like your note too - very informative about this particular dragonfly.
Best regards Siegfried

Merhaba Bayram Hocam,
Muhteşem bir yusufcuk portresi.Netlik, ışık ve detaylar ders niteliğinde...Elinize sağlık.
Selamlar,

hAyAti

Hello Bayram,

beautiful colors, excellent macro with great details of the eyes!
Congratulations and TFS.
Sergio

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2008-12-21 22:20]

Oh.. oh... petek gözlerin yapısı, ommatidiumlar dahi görülüyor. Elinize sağlık hocam.
Saygılar,
Mehmet

bonjour Bayram
Of the five last shot of Orthetrum chrysostigma you posted , I think that this one is that I prefer.I wonded what was the white mark on its right multi-eyes and I thought the dragonfly had been wounded , but I think now that it is maybe the flash light ?It seems that these insects obey you as if they wee your top models.A bit more on the left ; thank you; now on the other side, yes, very well, thank you ;a bit closer now, yes very good thank you
Bravo Bayram it is as if it were a Christmas tale

Hi Bayram,
Magnificent closeup with impressing colors and details!
Very good sharpness and DOF.
TFS
Regards,
Lurdes

  • Great 
  • soe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 402 W: 0 N: 107] (2461)
  • [2009-06-26 4:40]

Salam Bayram
Great micro shot.Nice color with sharpness and detail.Beautiful lighting.
Tin Soe

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