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Anax imperator (female, ovipositing)


Anax imperator (female, ovipositing)
Photo Information
Copyright: Stavros Markopoulos (markop) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 17 W: 0 N: 27] (111)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-13
Categories: Insects
Exposure: f/4.9, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-12-14 7:57
Viewed: 1435
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) female.

kingdom: Animalia
phylum: Arthropoda
subphylum: Hexapoda
class: Insecta
order: Odonata
suborder: Anisoptera
family: Aeshnidae

A female Emperor Dragonfly ovipositing. Photo captured at a pond near the village of Fodele, on the island of Crete, in Greece. This is my personal favorite photo, to-date, because of the magic moment it represents, the birth of new life (and life, as we know it on earth, began in the water). This vertical crop, that focuses on the reflection, was suggested by a great nature macro photographer, nimou. Thanks, Nicolas!

Anax imperator is a large and powerful hawker with an average length of 8cm and a wingspan of over 10cm. The word "Anax" is Greek and it means "King", so this genus is considered to be the king of all dragonflies. A.imperator is a widespread species in Europe and prefers relatively still waters, like ponds or slow rivers. Unlike other Anax species that oviposit in tandem, A.imperator females oviposit alone, as is evident in the photo.

I've also managed to capture a male of the same species perched over the same pond, a year after this photo was taken. For all I know she could be his mother!
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2167 W: 218 N: 4377] (14870)
  • [2006-12-14 8:22]

Hi Stavros

Indeed a magnificent catch!
Beside the fact that you captured a very beautiful and impressive species - A. imperator - you also managed to contain a wonderful moment.
The POV here is excellent and it gave you a great angle for the reflection, too.
The sharpness of the details is impecable and the exposure is spot-on. Due to that, all the colors and tones are charming and very well saturated.
The composition is very beautiful, too, and the vertical crop i thikn was definately the way to go.
Great work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Magic moment. Magic photo.
Hi George

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3748 W: 186 N: 11161] (34473)
  • [2006-12-14 10:47]

Hello Stavros,
Excellent capture with fine composition of this ovipositing imperator. This is sharp and the reflection an added bonus but for the strange grey interference on the left side.
Well done!
TFS, best wishes, Ivan

I think that its better like this but i will retouch it with the curve and highlight from photoshop stavors, if i got time i send you a workshop. Regards my friend stavros

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7793)
  • [2006-12-14 16:35]

Hi Stavros
Good shot. Good light, colours, sharpnes and POV.
Well done

osse

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer [C: 191 W: 0 N: 10] (173)
  • [2006-12-21 11:07]

Merhaba Stavros;
Renk,netlik herşey mükemmel, selamlar

Hi Stavros,
Excellent shot! The details are amazing. The colors area amazing. The action is amazing. Stupendopus details and sharpness even in the reflection.
I love this shot!
A favorite!
I am curious about the equipment you used to take this shot.
TFS!

incredible sense of timing Stavros. .....
foto perfect subject definition and color....... really very capable

best regards sERGIO

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