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Vagrant darter


Vagrant darter
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Hendriks (hansh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 213 W: 1 N: 145] (598)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-15
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Dragonflys [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-10-28 10:52
Viewed: 152
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Vagrant Darter Sympetrum vulgatum

On the continent are some 10 species of reddish darters. They comprise a group of species hard to identify. The colour does sometimes give some indication, but usually other factors have to be taken into account as well. In Southern Britain the Vagrant Darter is a rare immigrant from continental Europe, but on the continent it is one of the most common species. The Vagrant Darter is very similar to the Common Darter. The main differences being: The Vagrant Darter has legs which are partly black en partly yellowish, the black line on the forehead droops down, the body, especially that of the male, is slightly shaped like a bludgeon and the ovipositor of the female sticks out in a 90 degree angle. In the Common Darter the legs are black, the black line runs over the forehead only and doesn't droop down, the body is straight and the female's ovipositor sticks out in a 40 degrees angle. The Vagrant Darter will reach a length of some 35 to 40mm. The wingspan may vary from 55 to 65mm.

After mating the first eggs are deposited in tandem position. But soon the male lets go of the female. She continues depositing eggs alone, but he's never far away chasing off other males. The eggs are usually laid in the mud in very shallow waters. The larvae live in shallow waters, usually in the mud or among water plants. They are often extremely muddy. Adults always appear after just one year. The Vagrant Darter prefers shallow pools.

The adults migrate over large areas and are often seen in meadows, roads and gardens far away from water. There they usually hunt from a high point. After the attempt to catch a prey, they return to their beloved look-out. Thus they are easily photographed, as you only have to wait a short time for their return.
marianas, wishnugaruda, horias, Mikolaj, tcr has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Hans,
it's an excellent shot with brilliant colours and sharpness, I also love the angle. We can see every detail very well.
Thanks, I like it very much,
greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hnas
Wonderful dragon fly!
Great details and colors.
Very sharp capture.
Congratulation!
Mariana

  • Great 
  • horias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 387 W: 59 N: 854] (3950)
  • [2009-10-28 11:09]

Hans
Wunderful this great dragon fly!
Lovely sharp details, colors are so natural, good POV,BG!
Congratulation!
Horia

Hello Hans! Perfect macro, ideal sharpness, good exposure and capture. Nice lightness, ideal natural colours. Interesting info. Well done!

Hallo Hans
dit is er weer zo een ,waar niks op aan te merken valt
super mooie plaat
zo goed scherp en mooi licht
en de kleuren zijn weer mooi
GREAT SHOT !!
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2009-10-29 9:59]

Hallo Hans,
Verrassend toen ik las dat dit de Steenrode Heidelibel is. Deze heb ik vorige week namelijk ook gefotografeerd, maar dan echt steenrood. Maar na even gecheckt te hebben, blijkt dit het vrouwtje te zijn.
Uitstekende foto in perfecte scherpte en schitterende natuurlijke kleuren tegen een prima vage achtergrond en in een prachtige compositie. Vervelend aan TN is dat fel gekleurde foto's vaak hoger gewaardeerd worden dan foto's als deze. Jammer.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • tcr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 77 W: 0 N: 233] (920)
  • [2009-10-30 6:54]

Hallo Hans.
Very well taken and presented image.
Fine details, crispy sharpness and OOF background.
Greetings and TFS.

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