Eye of the dragon

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Eye of the dragon
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul van Slooten (pvs) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1133 W: 259 N: 2406] (10803)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-27
Categories: Insects
Camera: Konica Minolta Dynax 7D, Minolta AF 200 mm / f:4 macro APO G, Digital RAW 200, Kenko Pro 300 1.4x Teleconvert
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/125 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-07-28 3:40
Viewed: 1770
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 88
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Once again a close up from a dragonfly,I could approach this model very close and made a few shot,I think it's the same specie Gert posted yesterday and so it should be a Vagrant darter.
I tried to make a few shots as well without fill flash and a longer exposure time to get rid of the hard light of the fill flash,but as it was a bit windy,no succes on these shots.


Hope you like it.

I posted another shot of this dragonfly in the WS

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.
jmp, wallhalla15, blakitan, eruyanik, SkyF, RAP, ramthakur, ddg, sgo, TAZ, csmnlm, Hil, cmarzano, Alex99, izler, scottevers7, firelord has marked this note useful
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To vanderschelden: kenko 1,4pvs 2 10-07 10:46
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1898 W: 94 N: 2375] (8394)
  • [2006-07-28 3:49]

Hi Paul
This a "wow" macro with more than perfect details and a lovely colors. Interesting eyes details.
TFS, José M.

Fantastic macro Paul. Excellent composition with great sharpness and very good details. Very good job. Well done. Thank you for posting.
Gr.
Heinz

What a shot! Fantastic close up. It looks like a giant monster.Well done and TFS.

Hi Paul,
This one is extreme macro. May be a little bit closer would be a big challenge. This is an eye opening picture - to see a dragonfly as never seen before. TFS
JC

Hi Pau,
this is a great macro with excellent details, the cells is well seen, And I think you are correct with the ID.
It's pity that sun/flash almost always reflect in the eyes, I try to shoot them in overcast days without flash to avoid it.
Lovely colours, very well composed and POV.
Great work, mf.

Hi Paul,
Superb macro-picture of dragonfly head. Very sharp with superbly clear details. Excellent shot.

Ben Lakitan

Hello Paul!
Superb on this one, impressive extreme macro of this big eyed guy! All the facets can be seen here! If you could do a bit low pov, i'm sure we could control its tooth like a dentist :-) Congratulations!
btw getting these details impossible without flash, in my opinion!
Ersin

Wowowow, che dettagli finissimi!!
Bei colori e bel contrasto, bravo!
Ciao.
Franco

Disgustingly beautiful! What a mind blowing macro!

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2447 W: 207 N: 2035] (8113)
  • [2006-07-28 7:29]

Hello Paul,
what a close up. Superp sharpness and amazing details.
Sky

hi paul
parfait avec toutes les facettes de l'oeil,de belles couleurs,enfin super quoi!!
laurent

  • Great 
  • odin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 197 W: 1 N: 213] (1143)
  • [2006-07-28 7:42]

Impressive shot Paul, with great details and sharpness. the colors are awsome too. Well done Sébastien

Hello Paul, excllent details on this littel critter, excllent colors anf details Great work, TFs Kyle

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-07-28 8:11]

Increible super macro Paul con impresionantes detalles y nitidez de la cabeza del insecto.
Excelente recorte así como el DOF y POV de la imagen.
TFS.
Saludos... Ricardo

Incredible super macro Paul with impressive details and clearness of the head of the insect.
Excellent crop as well as DOF and POV of the image.
TFS.
Greetings... Ricardo

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

A macro this size and with so much clarity looks like an impossible feat, but you have done it, Paul.
Well done and TFS.

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 881 W: 19 N: 923] (4953)
  • [2006-07-28 8:53]

Hi Paul, it's a fantastic shot!! Great POV and DOF. Very nice colors too. Well seen and well done. Best regards, Didier.

  • Great 
  • sgo Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 136 W: 35 N: 241] (716)
  • [2006-07-28 9:22]

Wow, what a mega-macro Paul, you're almost down to microscopic levels! Great job, fantastically well done! Thanks a lot for this impressive view of the dragon's eye,
Goran

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 50 N: 3190] (10896)
  • [2006-07-28 10:35]

Paul, it is not a camera it is a microscope ;-) What an impressive and fantastic close-up ! With only eyes we can't see such details... Congratulations Paul and thanks for sharing.

Hi Paul
Great macro, full of details and rich in colors.
Cemil

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3082 W: 231 N: 5811] (19540)
  • [2006-07-28 12:22]

AAAAHHHHHHH.... Way too scary : P
Amazing macro with fantastic POV and way too many details. : )
Very sharp and well exposed.
TFS this fantastic shot, Paul. : )

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 782 W: 11 N: 1375] (4758)
  • [2006-07-28 12:45]

Hi Paul

Excellent Macro shot, I agree with Manyee that he is indeed scary, Great colours & detail, well done.

TFS Hilary

Parece imposible que no exista el mas minimo movimiento en una macro de este nivel de acercamiento es notable el color logrado la iluminacion pareja, y los detalles mas pequeños es la mejor macro de los ultimos tiempos en TN en mi opinion.
saludos
CARLOS

HI Paul,
a wonderful shot, so sharp and with pretty colours. I love those shots, also had some year last year.
This year I most saw damselflies, the dragons are a little rare. So thanks for this shot, I love it
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 780 W: 29 N: 20] (4944)
  • [2006-07-29 2:49]

Hi Paul,
fantastic macro, good details and fine colours. Superb work. I like it a lot.
Rgs, Aleksander

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 309 W: 3 N: 613] (3056)
  • [2006-07-29 4:23]

Hi Paul,
What agreat macro I was out in the wood yesterday to spot dragonflies and now I know how difficult that is. My compliments. Excellent macro.
Vivian

Hi Paul,
This is superb macro! Excellent details and sharpness, very nice colour and very well composed.
Thanks for sharing!

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217] (13775)
  • [2006-07-29 10:04]

Hi Paul.
Next outstanding macro. Brilliant exposure and contrast, DOF and POV. Sharpness and details are outside possible. Bravo.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 0 N: 87] (7625)
  • [2006-07-29 20:18]

Hi Paul
Great macro shot. Excellent colours, sharpnes, details, light, DOF and POW. Must learn how to take so close macro shots :)
Well done mf

osse

great shot, Paul. I'm a big fan of the bubble eyes of insects like this myself. The detail in the eyes is stunning.

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1216 W: 78 N: 843] (6904)
  • [2006-07-31 10:43]

hi paul
magnificent close up photo. POV, DOF, blured BG, colours, details, focus, sharpness, frame and note are great.
thanks for sharing
regards
izler

Hi Paul,
Not that is a extreme closeup macro! I love it! Colors and detail are superb. Great camera work. Amazing...............
Scott

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2165 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2006-08-01 13:36]

prachtig Paul,
als ik deze zie ben ik nog een beginneling, maar eerlijkheid gebied te zeggen dat ik op het ogenblik wel vooruitgang boek. Schitterende lenzen, zeer goede pov en uitstekende compositie, uitstekend werk.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 879 W: 2 N: 605] (2032)
  • [2006-08-01 15:17]

Hello Paul , Een Fantastische macro ,it's a beauty , prachtige kleuren scherp details lenzen heel mooi , Fijne avond ,Teunie .

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 718 W: 117 N: 1032] (4567)
  • [2006-08-12 15:16]

oh grandmother, why do you have such big eyes? *g*
actually, all i can say is "WOW!".
fantastic macro-shot, paul! :-)
perfect in every way - sharpness, details, use of flash, colors...
very well seen & captured, thorsten.

Hi Paul

wat is hij lelijk van dichtbij maar hij staat wel perfect op de foto.
door zulke foto's ga je van macrofotografie houden.

Gr Thijs

Hello Paul,
Great macro. A lof of detail and DOF for a macro.
I have a question for you if you don't mind:
Your Kenko 1,4x teleconverter...does it match any lens and camera?
TFS
Annick

WOW this is what is called
MACRO shot.
My comliments.

Hi Paul
I'm trying and trying to make something like this. I am a beginner (almost 40 years making photos), so I hope one day to make something similar.
What a shot. Great!
Rgds
Guilherme

Paul, mind boggling picture. I would like to see more like these from your new Soany Alpha. Eagerly waiting!!!

TFS, warm regards, kiran.

Jesus....what a detailled shot!!!

Interesting from a biological point of view...breathtaking from a phootographic...

  • Great 
  • Anatoli (104)
  • [2007-12-16 15:31]

Hi Paul
fantastic macro

Amazing shot, Paul, perfect focus!!! Cheers, Luís.

Hello Paul.

Excellent macro, very good details and colors.
Fantastic.

Regards.
Jose Luis

Hi Paul!
WOW
GREAT JOB!
Best regards,
Iulian

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