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Kind of Blue


Kind of Blue
Photo Information
Copyright: Grzegorz Wieczorek (red45) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2829 W: 75 N: 8024] (26857)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Blue Things II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-11 10:05
Viewed: 368
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Coenagrion puella [thanks for ID Horia&Ivan!]

Widespread and common. Adults can be seen between May and August according to locality. Similar in habits and distribution to its close relative C. pulchellum. C. puella is less common than it on cutover bogs and mesotrophic lakes, but more common on eutrophic sites. A lowland species avoiding exposed and upland sites, as well as all but the slowest flowing rivers.

The male Azure Damselfly is similar to the Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum and the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum but can be distinguished by the characteristic black U-shaped marking which does not join up with the black ring at the posterior end of the second abdominal segment. In the female Azure damselfly there are two colour forms, blue and green. The blue form is similar to the female of the Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum but can best be distinguished by examining the shape of the pronotum. It can be distinguished from females of the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum by the absence of a spine below the 8th abdominal segment.

KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

* In males there is a characteristic black U-shaped mark on the second abdominal segment which is separate from the black ring at the bottom of the segment
* In segments 4-6 there is more blue/less black in comparison with Coenagrion pulchellum
* In males the blue dorsal thoracic stripes are always complete and only slightly waisted
* The hind margin of the pronotum is broad and flattened (see comparison of pronotums of blue damselflies)
* Females are best identified by examining the shape of the posterior lobe of the pronotum
* In females there are two black stripes on the side of the thorax
* There is no spine below the 8th abdominal segment

Copyright © National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland and Environment and Heritage Service, 2000
iris, nglen, XOTAELE, aes_thor, SelenE, eqshannon has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hi Grzegorz,
excellent macro, the sharpness is very good with nice focus, the oof bg looks lovely, well saturated colors,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5540] (20950)
  • [2008-07-11 10:15]

Hi Greg. This is a very sharp close up of this Damselfly with fine detail and rich colours. Good use of the light to give the body and wings a shine. With a nice POV/DOF. Well done TFS.
Nick..
Have a nice weekend

Hi Grzegorz,
you managed to capture this dragonfly almost perfectly sharp.
The blurred end isn't very distracting.
Great colors and POV
TFS Tatjana

Hola Grzegorz.
Una imagen genial, buenos detalles y colores perfectos.
Buen comentario.
Saludos, JL.

Cześć grzegorz,

perfekcyjne ujęcie ładnie wpasowane w kadr. Super detale i bardzo ładne kolorki.

Pozdrawiam
Adrian

  • Great 
  • hekcik Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 330 W: 15 N: 305] (1823)
  • [2008-07-11 12:50]

Witaj Grzegorzu,

Switne ujecie, ostrosc, kadr i koncowy efekt taki jak nalezy.

Pozdrawiam
Norbert

Witaj,

Piękny obiekt :)
Bdb kadr, kolory i znakomita ostrość.
Miło znowu popisać :)

Pozdrawiam Małgosia

Goods details and sharp colours, lovely composition to this, the diagonal is spot on, fine work indeed...regards h

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2081 W: 216 N: 3759] (12472)
  • [2008-07-11 14:03]

Hi Greg

It seems we are quite good at identifying each others Odonatas :)
As you said in your note and as Ivan said, too, this is in fact a Coenagrion, and more specifically Coenagrion puella :) They are indeed very similar to each other. However, this POV here is actually perfect to view the pattern on S2 (i think) - the typical "U" shape for C. puella.
Other than that, you can also see (even if it's a bit out of focus) the markings on the tail segments, which also indicate that species.

But ID aside, this is a very beautiful macro shot, with a terrific diagonal composition. The details on the head, thorax and wings are exceptional and the contrast with the BG is lovely.
Well exposed and saturated, too.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2348 W: 61 N: 3801] (12188)
  • [2008-07-11 14:52]

Hi Greg,
Your damselfly stands out very well against the background. Lighting, details, POV and composition are very nice. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

Well doggone it...it is blue in my book! And it looks so sharp. I am a bit surprised. The Canon I understand and I have the Sigma lens but the two do not do as same as your's or your eye is better than mine and I'll bet on the later. I had surgery on both eyes in the last two years...lucky I can see at all:-) But I can which Ii s why I smile!
Bob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2606 W: 133 N: 7480] (23317)
  • [2008-07-12 2:27]

Hello Grzeg,
This is another excellent damselfly macro that shows good detail sharply and in fine lighting.
But As there are two stripes at the side of the thorax this is definitely a Coenagrion species and the pattern on the back of the thorax suggests that this is a male C. puella.
TFS this beauty,
Regards, Ivan

I'm sorry that I had to remove the elk shot: I wasn't pleased with it ,but thanks for your kind critique.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 242 N: 5580] (19801)
  • [2008-07-12 13:22]

G'day Greg!
Very sharp macro of this Damselfly!
Excellent diagonal composition.
Great light, lovely colours and perfect exposure.
Superb BG too.

Well done!

Joe

Hi Grzegorg, great diagonal composition with elegant damselfly, great colors, good details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2465 W: 168 N: 7448] (23526)
  • [2008-07-13 2:06]

Hello Greg,
Very fine capture of Coenagrion puella in a fine pose. Excellent sharpness, nice light and true colours. Very nice diagonal composition too. The first thing I look for when seeking the ID is the short black slightly bent stripe on the thorax that indicates that it is a Coenagrion sp.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 40 N: 730] (2302)
  • [2008-07-14 21:44]

Hi Greg,
I remember seeing a similar capture from you wherein you had focus issues due to the P&S you were using for capture.But this one is tack sharp and excellent an image of the damsel from your SLR:)

Fantastic sharpness and colours here Greg.Excellent details highlighting the colours of the beautiful damsel.The lighting makes certain parts of the wing shimmer and shine.The muted Bg helps focus on the subject well.
Very well done.
TFS & Cheers

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