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Common Darter Exuvia


Common Darter Exuvia
Photo Information
Copyright: Robert Brown (Robbrown) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 96 N: 2175] (6054)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-16
Categories: Insects
Camera: SONY DSC F-707, Carl Zeiss 9.7-48.5, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/8, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-11-06 17:06
Viewed: 956
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
What you see here is not an alien, but the empty shell (Exuvia) left behind when a dragonfly emerges from the water to turn into the winged Teneral form of the Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)see the adult forms here.
It is seen here on a reed at the edge of a very small fresh water pool 5metres across in amongst some sand dunes on the west coast of England,The whole series of dunes are an (SSSI) Site of Special Scientific Intrest more details here .Most of these pools dry out over the summer as they are only filled with winter rain water, these tempory pools are used by the Natterjack toad to breed in. These very rare toad are the main reason why the site has the SSSI status, I am afraid there will be no pictures of the toads as their protection level extends to them not having their picture taken without a goverment licence.
Adjustments
shadows and highlights
crop to size
sharpen image by the following method (New to me)
new layer via copy
then in image - mode -convert to lab colour
select channels and click on Lightness, the image will now become B&W
Edit - sharpen - Unsharpmask
Amount 150% X radius 1px X threshold 4
Then Image - Mode - RGB to convert back to colour
merge layers
save to web 197k
RAP, Signal-Womb, Luc, PDP, marhowie, red45, ellis49, elihesam, milloup, sandpiper2, aktolga has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Very interesting picture Rob and I like the various links you give to explain it. Very good reading and an excellent post. A+++

Who shot Darter Exuvia? Crime scene photo #327. ;)

Nice details and a perfect write-up on the matter. You did put in a lot of effort in the seres Rob. Thanx.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-11-07 1:52]

You could have exposed this one for 30s and he would not have moved :) Great imae and note.

Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11755)
  • [2004-11-07 6:30]

Very good work Rob, the good composition and detail in the exuvia. Did you see the dragonfly emerge? Great note.

Robert, Unique post - great detail! Very informative, never seen this before. Thanx for posting!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2831 W: 75 N: 8025] (26865)
  • [2004-11-07 12:47]

Splendid note and superb picture.

Very good Robert.
Great details and a very interesting note.
Great work.

Ah!
I have not seen with this fine details yet,Nicely captured with a great use of DOF,very well composed and,...very amazing empty shell form...Thanks for posting,Robert.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-11-07 17:48]

Una imagen distinta de estos insectos tan conocidos ya por nosotros.
Excelente idea de mostrar el shell del insecto de esta forma.
Buen encuadre y colorido, solo remarcaría la existencia de ruido en el fondo de la imagen.
(puntos mañana)

An image different from these insects so known already by us.
Excellent idea to show the shell of the insect of this form.
Good colorful and frame, only remark the existence of noise at bottom of the image.
(points tomorrow)

Nice and sharp capture. When seeing one up close like this it's hard to imagine that in real life they're only about 1½-2 cm long. I hope you did get to see him emerge, too, it's quite an interesting experience ;-))

A most unusual subject and yet you have captured it very well, the DOF and POV are just great. Yet another image for you to be proud of Rob.

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