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Broad-bodied Chaser


Broad-bodied Chaser
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: 2004-05-23
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron 28-300XR
Exposure: f/16, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-01-04 18:45
Viewed: 1951
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Broad-bodied Chaser, Libellula depressa, is very easy to recognize on account of the very broad abdomen which gave it its name. This dragonfly is usually only seen in small numbers at any given spot. The flight of the male insect is very agressive at the mating territory. The male will very often use a fixed landing spot, both at the water or in the surroundings.

The male Broad-bodied Chaser is easily confused with the Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum in flight as both share a pale blue abdomen, however in the Chaser, the abdomen is broad and flat (as the name suggests!) whereas the skimmer is narrow. The Skimmer also lacks the basal black patches, common to the Chasers. The Black-tailed skimmer is often seen "skimming" over the water's surface or perched on bare on stony ground, whereas the Broad-bodied Chaser perches on emergent reeds, much the same as the Four-Spotted Chaser. Often thought of as a large wasp, the Broad-bodied Chaser will often be seen with Four-Spotted Chasers, where there will be severe competition for territory.

The grown male Broad-bodied Chaser is easily recognizable by his blue abdomen, whereas it's more difficult to distinguish the young males from the females, because the young male has the same colouring as the female. However, as pointed out by Robert (Thanks!), this one has no claspers, for which reason it must be a female.

The photo was taken at "Computer Corner", thus named by Mogens and I because of something that happened on one memorable day when we went shooting there. I was shooting away at a sibling of this chap here, while Mogens went investigating amongst the bushes. In there he found two flat screens + one computer, all neatly packed in black plastic bags for pick-up later. The spoils from a break-in somewhere, we reckoned, so the police were notified and came to collect the haul.
Treatment: Crop, Contrast +10, Brightness +10, Saturation +10, USM and resize.
Robbrown, mogens-j, rlortie, Fisher, vesalius, JeanMichel, red45, carper, sandpiper2, Lesley, Luc, Callie, aktolga, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bente, Yes i rember the find I seem to rember you got some very good shots from round there , this one is no exception it is clear and well seen wing tip to wing tip and head to tail, and talking of the tail I see no claspers sticking out so its female.
the male blacktailed skimmer has a liking for rest on clear / bare patches of ground next to the water where the BB Chasers like to perch though I do have pictures of the former perched on twigs.

Oh yes, that was a real fine day - not only that we found the computer but also we had some good shots of these flying beauties. This one is excellent presented with a perfect blurred background and well used dof to show the details all over except from the the abdomenal appendix which has dropped out of focus - pity but you cannot always have it the way you want;-). Colours are just perfect.

Wow, what a great macro. Absolutely beautiful colours and excellent sharpness on details. I like how you captured the texture of the wings and the gold on the body. Twelve points:-)
Have a happy new year!

What a beautiful picture Bente. Rich colors, tack-on sharpness, superb background. That's a winner for sure.

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-01-04 21:42]

A beautiful capture with spectacular details. The colors are rich. Well done.

Mike

Hi Bente.
Great macro with very good sharpness, composition and colours. Great work.
I long for spring to come so I can shot dragonflies.

  • Great 
  • sev Silver Star Critiquer [C: 25 W: 0 N: 0] (56)
  • [2005-01-05 1:29]

perfect macro,I like the details and the colours
very good work !

WOW! That may be one of the nicest shots I've seen in a while. Sooooo sharp and great DOF. The detail on the wings is spectacular. Nicely composed. Thanks, Don.

Just one word: perfect! If there was an illustration to show what's a macro shot, I'd use that one. Sharp all over, crisp, uniform light, explicit POV. Color, contrast and DOF arranged to bring out the subject at it's best. The ideal encyclopedic illustration. A great shot, Bente.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2703 W: 74 N: 8857] (30219)
  • [2005-01-05 4:27]

Superb macro Bente! Breath-taking quality, sharpness, details. Very good pose, DOF and POV.

Nice photo Bente,
When I am honest, this was just the dragonfly I would send in this morning. fun. I like your too, good capture, good pof and dof, maeby a little bit dark, but I think you must have some luck with a shot. Good note, good job Bente

Composition: ****
Sharpness: ****
Color: ****
DOF: ****
POV: ***

A great shot, stunning details.
Well done.
TFS.

A most interesting and informative note, funny what you find out in the bush/fields.
The image is really good, I really like the POV. The DOF is excellent to. Well done.

Great macro Bente. Excellent presentation DOF and POV.
You and Mogens are too honest. Finders keepers, maybe the police kept it for themselves. I would have kept it for myself.
Good post

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-05 14:11]

I hope that you checked the bushes for Canon 1D's and some lenses!

This one is new to me and you captured him well. The sharpness here is superb and the exposure excellent.

Very well done and thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • Lesley Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 13 N: 913] (2988)
  • [2005-01-05 17:21]

WOW...what a great shot, Bente! The detail is amazing. You are definitely queen of the ode shots. If you come to M'head this Spring I hope to get some shooting tips from you.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-01-06 9:41]

A perfect post, Bente, to my eyes.
Thank you very much. I look forward next summer, you know, -14C this morning. My panes are gardens of hoarfrosts...

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 104 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2005-01-06 12:23]

Hi There Bente
Nice fellow here, nearly a discription of myself - I look so well because I eat so well!
I am just not able to rest ever so loghtly on my toes.
Very nice picture, the wingdetails are great! Good compo too.
BTW - Mallards are out - DD is in, and this is in honour of you. From now on, they will always be Dinner Ducks! Thanks for that clever coining!

Excellent capture of this chaser Bente, with f/16 bringing it home nicely..
Just the right amount of sharpening to.
Glad to hear you two foiled the bad guy's plot as well :)
Merry Christmas my old TN friend!
Howard

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