Darter's Below

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Darter's Below
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Prince (PDP) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11733)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-15
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/8, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-09-03 3:54
Viewed: 1078
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Common Darters are a small restless species that perches periodically in between darting trips and often returns to the same perch. The flight season (UK) can stretch as far as December in some cases and right now in Oxford these guys are mating like crazy. This picture is obviously a close up and shows a good amount of detail I have been reading and learning about Dragonflies lately and so I will share dome of this here. So if you are interested read on, if not thanks for getting this far. The notes here are all based on the book I am reading “Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland” by Steve Brooks, from British Wildlife Publishing. I can recommend this book if you are interested to know more about these creatures.


Some structural information

The obvious feature on a dragonfly’s head are the huge compound eyes. They have excellent colour vision. Immediately in front of the large compound eyes is a nodule called the vertex and directly forward of that is the upper section of the face called the frons, there is often colouration on the frons that can be crucial to identification of a particular species. While we’re in that area it is possible, in this picture, to see the antennae. These are greatly reduced in dragonflies compared to many other insects and the small size is related to how much the dragonflies rely on their vision. On top of the frons are three simple (single lens) eyes called ocelli (two are visible here, either side of the vertex) and although these have poor visual perception they are very sensitive to light intensity and are very important in providing feedback about the dragonfly’s flight attitude, the nerves of the ocelli are connected directly to the flight muscles. So if the dragonfly starts to roll or dive the light intensity will change and corrections can be applied. The triangular section immediately in between and behind the eyes is called the occiput.

Wings are attached to the top of the synthorax with the fore wing attached to the mesothorax and the hind wing to the metathorax. Each wing can operate independently of each other, this enables the dragonfly with a good control of its flight, they can fly forwards, hover and even fly backwards in some cases. All this flying costs energy, and dragonflies can consume up to 20% of there bodyweight in a day. Dragonfly wings are not flat, but have an overall downward gradient from front the leading edge (costa) to the trailing edge.

Also, another good identification point for the Common Darter is the yellow stripe on the legs and this can be seen, especially in the hind leg, in this photo.

I think that is enough for now! Thanks for reading.
gerhardt, RAP, alainh, extramundi, TAZ, Callie, AndyB, japie, nwoehnl, Curioso, willie, annagrace has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Callie: LogPDP 1 09-03 15:04
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Critiques [Translate]

Your macro shots keep getting closer. The detail on this one is stunning. You can even see the body fluid throught the skin. The colours contrast nicely with the grey BG. Very nice Paul. Very detailed supporting note too.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-09-03 6:03]

Una vez más... casi irreal el detalle que has logrado en este insecto.
La nitidez y resolucion de las alas, vellos y ojos sobre todo, es impresionante.
Colores espectaculares y excelente composicion.

Once again ... almost unreal the detail that you have obtained in this insect.
The clearness and resolution of the wings, hairs and eyes mainly, are impressive.
Spectacular colors and excellent composition.

Perfect close macro clear and sharp all the way and magnificant wide deep colorrange. On top a very good DOF and composition makes this picture outstanding ! Congratulations.
Good note.

Veru good macro Paul.
Great sharpness with good details , nice colours and
a good note.
Very well done.

bonjour Paul.
cette netteté me sidère. c'est sublime.les ailes ressemblent à des vitraux. c'est d'une extreme finesse. cardrage original.
vraiment un beau travail.
alain

That Olympus works really well in Macro, and the photographer better. congratulations Paul, I realy enjoy your shots. I can´t wait for the next one...

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 50 N: 3190] (10896)
  • [2004-09-03 11:11]

Waouh ! Quelle belle macro, la qualité des détails est saisissante, à loeil nu on pourrait pas voir aussi bien, compliments !
Great, congratulations Paul !

Paul
Nice prop, the old log. Absolute stunning details, well done, even inside of the head is sharp!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1593 W: 32 N: 1363] (3978)
  • [2004-09-03 14:56]

This is a great shot.
Very sharp and clear detail,excellent colours.
Very nice diagonal composition.
A great note too.
Excellent work,very well done.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1996 W: 107 N: 1897] (5103)
  • [2004-09-03 15:23]

I want to say WOW to both the shot and the note! The DOF and color in the image is excellent and that includes the composition. Thanks for posting

Paul, it seems you're zooming in closer and closer which each of your macros. This one looks so crisp it's almost jumping out of my monitor. Supreme detail and colors, good diagonal presentation, and the log makes a fine background. Well done.

Great, close-up. It shows a lot of detail which is well explained in your note.
Greetings, Jan

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-11-06 13:40]

Amazing, I envy you guys and the brilliance of your shots. well done

Really great capture and an especially close macro. Those compound eyes are amazing.

I was confused by the photo at first and thought it was two insects!

Thanks for sharing,

Alli

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