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A natural born leader


A natural born leader
Photo Information
Copyright: Marta Queralt Lopez i Salvans (eBirdy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 85 W: 1 N: 75] (512)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-18
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi, Canon 18-55mm EF-S f/3.5-5.6 II USM, Hoya 58 mm Skylight 1B
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Nature around me [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-08-23 13:14
Viewed: 758
Points: 21
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Possibly a female red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES
-Males brick red with unwaisted abdomen
-Females yellow brown veins at base and on front of wing red in male and yellow in female
-Pterostigma pale yellow with black border
-Underside of eye blue in male

A bit of culture on Dragonflies for non-professionals...
Thanks to this picture I know a bit more about these natural born leaders... I just wanted to share it with you, although most of you may know it....

Record breakers
Much larger dragonfly species existed in the distant past than occur on earth today. The largest one, found as a fossil, is an extinct Protodonata named Meganeura monyi from the Permian period with a wingspan of 70–75 cm (27.5–29.5 in). This compares to 19 cm (7.5 in) for the largest modern species of odonates, the Hawaiian endemic dragonfly, Anax strenuus. The smallest modern species recorded is the libellulid dragonfly, Nannophya pygmaea from East Asia with a wingspan of only 20 mm, or about ¾ of an inch.

Dragonflies are the world's fastest insects and, although estimates of their speed vary wildly, most credible authorities say they are capable of reaching speeds of between 30 and 60 km/h (19 to 38 mph). A study showed that dragonflies can travel as much as 137 km (85 mi) in one day.

Due to a dragonflie's eyesight, they have excellent structure. Their eyes have up to 30,000 facets which each have their separate light-sensing organ.

Sources:
Ulster Museum on-line
Wikipedia

Proframe, Necipp, angybone, jmirah, Silvio2006, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Marta,
Very nice dragonfly image with very good sharpness and exposure and wonderful colors.
I like the composition with the diagonal lines of the wings and body of the darter, but pity the background is rather busy.
Because of that the wings don't stand out very well from thebackground and therefore details are nice, but not greatly visible.
Thanks for sharing and the excellent note.
Kind regards,
Harry

Hello Marta a fine detailed sharp shot good dof and composition looks good the background is a little close and does mean the wing veins are a little lost, nice work otherwise tfs rgds necip.

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 1627] (5989)
  • [2007-08-23 16:23]

Hola Marta,
Que linda foto, bella photografia
excelente POV y composicion..felicitaciones

Everton

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2007-08-24 1:02]

Hi Marta,
Wonderful shot of this beautiful dragonfly with lovely colours and sharp details. Superb lighting and you have captured a fine pose set against the BG. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1576 W: 5 N: 2180] (12248)
  • [2007-08-24 3:15]

Bonjour Marta,
Beau contraste et belles couleurs.
Merci!
Joseph

Very well composed and great color. Interesting perch your dragonfly is on.
:)
Hope you're feeling happy today! :) :) :)

  • Great 
  • jmirah Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 503 W: 5 N: 1129] (4631)
  • [2007-08-24 22:39]

Hi Marta,
Very nice capture of the dragonfly. Excellent DOF and color. Very well done.

TFS
Jim

Hi Marta, splendid dragonfly with great sharpness and wordrful details, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2986 W: 162 N: 929] (2735)
  • [2007-08-27 3:56]

Hello Marta,
The dragonfly really stands out against the beautiful soft brown background in this very fine composition. I like its pose, details are sharp and the colours natural. I think your ID is correct but it is probably a young male developing the orange colour.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Una macro genial Marta.
Preciosos detalles y estupenda nitidez.
Buen fondo y DoF.
Un saludo desde Gran Canaria, JL.

Hello Marta
nice capture with great details
of this sympetrum....
i like the BG that it does to stand out the insect...........

best regards sERGIO

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