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Taking Missus for a Spin


Taking Missus for a Spin
Photo Information
Copyright: Bente Feldballe (milloup) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 483 W: 41 N: 618] (1706)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-23
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron 28-300XR
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/160 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-12-09 16:57
Viewed: 1239
Points: 21
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Male Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum "taking Missus for a spin" (flying in tandem) after the actual mating.
Once the mating is over, the male stays with the female still holding her by the head while she deposits her eggs. The different types of damselflies and dragonflies have different ways of depositing the eggs. Some females bore the eggs into the stem of water plants, whereas the sympetrums usually just drop them over an area of soggy ground near the water. The couple will bob up and down, twisting and turning in the air while the eggs are deposited. They seem to prefer rather confined spaces in between the vegetation, probably because they feel more secure there.
From a photographer's point of view this is, however, less ideal, because the numerous straws, plants etc make it more or less impossible for the camera's auto focus to work - it'll just zoom aimlessly back and forth, never knowing what to focus on. For that reason this photo was taken hand held and using manual focus. I've shown another one earlier of a couple seen from the side while the female was depositing her eggs. This one, however, is the only one I've taken so far of a tandem flying towards me and where the head of the male is both 1) within focus and 2) well lit.
Ruddy Darters are amongst the smallest of the "real dragonflies". They have a body length of 33-36 mm and a wingspan of 50-59 mm. In this species the legs are all black.
Treatment: Crop, brightness +5, contrast +10, saturation +10, USM and resize.
Lesley, marhowie, bikernjeeks, willie, gerhardt, RAP, Robbrown, Luc has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Lesley Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 13 N: 913] (2988)
  • [2004-12-09 17:26]

I have missed your images , Bente, and so it is good to see you again with this dragon flight shot. I like it. The color is really awesome. Good informative note as well.

Bente, This is a great shot considering the level of difficulty here. I wouldn't even try to get the dragon in-flight. (OK, I tried a couple of times - failed miserably). It takes too much patience for this amateur! Well done!!

Excellent result, especially considering the difficulty of the task. Really beautiful shot, unbelievable that you managed to capture them :-) Thanks so much for sharing. Keep up the good spirit.
Very interesting note, too, I learned a lot from that.

Very good Bente.
I know how difficult this is to take,
You manage very well. Good colours and details, but some noise.
Very good note.
Great work.

Excellent action macro Bente. very impressive. I have had no success with anything flying. Always a blur, so I envy your skillks. Well done

Great shot, the only things are the slash reflection who are disturbing a bit.

Hi Bente, so nice to see a post from you again. This dragon flew right through the lens... :) Unique POV and well worth sharing. Great shot.

  • Good 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-12-10 17:54]

Interesante punto de vista... pero personalmente la intención de mostrar un macro tan cercana, desmejoró la agudeza de la imagen, además de truncar la composicion con el segundo insecto.
Buen intento.

Interesting point of view... but personally the intention to show a so near macro, worsen the sharpness of the image, besides to truncate composition with the second insect.
Good attempt.

I have Missed you here Bente,good to see one of your images , a very difficult shot to make I think Have only 2 and they are now where near as well seen as this pair. Thank you for sharring.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-12 2:07]

It is great to have you posting shots again! This is a great shot and composition. Your title is excellent and brought a big smile to my face.

Very well done and thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2004-12-13 16:15]

Salut Bente!
Ce n'est vraiment pas évident de prendre cet insectes en plein vol. J'apprécie votre effort et je vous souhaite la melleure des chances pour les prochaines.
Un travail irréprochable: image et note.
Merci

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