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Giant Dragonfly


Giant Dragonfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2980 W: 108 N: 7751] (25112)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/250 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-06-10 7:20
Viewed: 723
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
GIANT DRAGONFLY

Friends, here is another story to tell about how I came to photograph this giant of a dragonfly the other day.
This insect was spotted by the kids’ brigade of my residential compound on the night of June 5. It was bumping against a street light vigorously like many insects that are attracted by light.
Nine years old Hassan from Pakistan is a daring guy. He grabbed it by the wings and brought it to my apartment. Every child here knows I am the freaky old man who likes to take pictures of insects instead of human beings.
When I looked at the insect, I was taken aback. It was nearly 3 inches long with a beautiful spot of blue between the thorax and the abdomen.
But how to shoot it at night? If we take it outside into the garden, it might fly away.
The ideas came from the kids’ think-tank again. Why not do it in the janitor’s room? This Sudanese guy has lots of artificial plants and creepers embellishing his single room which could serve as background. I liked the idea, so we all trooped into Mohammad’s room, who turned out to be quite obliging. The door to his room was promptly closed and Hassan placed the insect gingerly against a green creeper made from plastic. Immediately, the insect flew off and started bumping against the light in the ceiling of the janitor’s room. Hassan promptly climbed on a chair and brought the fugitive back. To cut it short, I managed a few shots and I am posting one of them today. I have chosen one that might facilitate easy identification by experts though I have better pictures of it to share later.
I assure you we handled the insect very gently and it flew away into the night vigorously when we released him after the photo shoot.

Please forgive me for the sordidness of the synthetic background; I know it looks atrocious. It was a chance of a lifetime here in Riyadh and I couldn’t miss it at any cost.

PS: Thanks to Sabine(wishnugaruda), I have the correct ID of the insect which is as follows:

Vagrant Emperor
Hemianax ephippiger
Family Aeshnidae (Hawker Dragonflies)
This is a vagrant dispersive species which occasionally reaches northern Europe from resident populations around the Mediterranean.
KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES
• Mostly pale brown hawker
• Segment 2 on male bright blue, duller violet in females
• Eyes brown

http://www.habitas.org.uk/dragonflyireland/5631.htm


Thanks for looking and regards to all.
delic, cataclysta, jcoowanitwong, eqshannon, garyfudge, lawhill, haraprasan, fartash, wishnugaruda, dew77, aido, Jamesp, horia, claudine, jmp, anel, gannu, JORAPAVI, mikou, maheshpatil has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To wishnugaruda: Danke, Sabineramthakur 1 06-11 01:45
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2007-06-10 7:28]

Hello Ram,
What a fantastic capture of this big and beautiful dragonfly! Good story but I hope the wings weren't damaged too much! Strange that it should be flying at night! Apart from the background the dragonfly is very sharply in focus and the details are shown very clearly. Hopefully somebody can give you the ID.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hi Ram
Very nice photo and story in your note. Buckground is only almost natural :-) but the image is sharp nicely composed and together with the story very intresting. I like also the dragonfly. I have never seen a similar species

Best wishes
Krzysztof

Hello Ram,
My first time to see this beautiful species. Nice shot with vivid and well contrasted colors. Enjoy reading your note. Very well done and tfs.
JC

Your stories in notes add a new dimension which I also share and love. A good read.

The dragonfly is straight vertical which is interesting and first thing I noticed good. Secondly the unusual pattern on the leaves.

It is always exciting to read your stories though.

Bob Pacific NW Wilderness

hello Mr Thakur,
very nice shot, i liked the notes very much, quite interesting, the efforts you all have put has resulted in a nice post of this so big dragonfly. pov gives good details, i liked the blue patch, sharp image with good details,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Ram that's a pretty big beast, 3" long.

I think it must be Giganticus Wingarum ;-)

Another great capture, even if it's on a plastic leaf.

Gary

Hello Ram,
After all the inconvenient the shot turn up in beautiful portrait with great colors and sharpness TFS best regards/Lawhill

Hi Ram, splendid dragonfly, great details, excellent sharpness, wonderful colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Ramthakur,
Excellent Macro shot of a giant DF. The POV is great. The blue color in it looks excellent. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Ram
Excellent shot of this Giant Dragonfly,
Perfect focusing ,POV and lighting,
Great Composition and BG,Superb shot.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-06-10 10:02]

Hi Ram,
Splendid looking dragonfly - huge and colourful. Very neat and sharp image and perfect use of flash. Excellent POV to portray it and fine focus. The sheen on its gossamer wings looks fantastic. Very nicely narrated and composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2007-06-10 11:22]

Hi Ram,

I love the story about how you managed this shot. This dragonfly just jumps out of the picture! The colors are fantastic and the details excellent.

Jane

Hi Ram,
wooow - what a wonderful dragon.
I never saw it in nature - but I'm sure it's a Hemianax ephippiger, Aeshnidae, Vagrant Emperor Dragonfly - German: Schabrackenlibelle.
A fantastic one, I love the colours and the excellent sharpness, very well done.
Also such a lovely story, thanks and many greetings to you and Hassan, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hello Ram,
This is amazing details, the dragonfly is pin sharp and very attractive colours!
Good point of view to allow for the audience to fully enjoy the details of the insect...
A well composed presentation!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2007-06-10 13:35]

Hello Ram,
Excellent close up.Sharpness,clear details,exposure and framing are wonderful.
TFS..:-)

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2007-06-10 13:54]

Hello Ram,
I have to mention that you look like Gregory Peck in your intro photo! Good shot of this Dragonfly, superb detail and nicely composed just off-centre. Unusual background but your note explains that quite well :-)
Best regards,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 556 W: 0 N: 1138] (5140)
  • [2007-06-10 16:38]

selam ram ; excellent shot of this d.fly, good details presented , very nice BG and POV, well captured with splendid colours TFS
regards
ridvan

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2007-06-10 17:01]

Hi Ram

Another amusing account - and a really good shot with excellent DOF and colour.

James

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2084 W: 216 N: 3766] (12498)
  • [2007-06-10 17:03]

Hi Ram

We can't really help where we find our subjects for shooting :)
Nevertheless, i believe this is one of your best shots with this new equipment of yours.
The details and colors of the dragonfly are superbly reproduced and the POV from where you took this shot is excellent.
The flash work is also great and very well managed and the DOF is excellent, too.

Cheers and TFS
Horia

Hello Ram,
Your stories are always so interesting! You realized an excellent portrait of this beautiful giant specie! I like this brilliance created by the flash, those sharp details and great colors. Exposure is perfect! Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2007-06-10 18:15]

Hi Ram,
Great dragonfly and an absolutely amusing history. Plastic plants are the right background to tells us about the lack of natural environment you have there. But, what about retirement?
TFS, José M.

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1174 W: 0 N: 1980] (8393)
  • [2007-06-11 3:22]

Hello Ram,
What a touching story! It is just too cute to imagine you with all these kids and the dragonfly. Could be the subject of a short story.
And the subject itself? Wonderful insect, very impressive, some symbol? It could be the key of the story. Thank's
Have a nice day
Anne

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 927 W: 4 N: 2317] (10792)
  • [2007-06-11 4:04]

Ram Sir, As long as you did not harm to the life it is okay. Lovely story which goes like a movie. Great Sir Ganesh

Hola Ram,
Una imagen de gran belleza por sus bonitos dibujos y colores, la nitidez luz y presentación como siempre impecables, TFS. Saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 863 W: 73 N: 1348] (5265)
  • [2007-06-12 6:22]

Hi Ram.
Firstly is it your very interesting story.
Secondly is that a your very good catch those splendid dragonfly.I like her beautiful colouring.Very nice classical pose,good compo,POV and focus.Fine sharp details and beautiful colors.I like it very much,even if background isn't just natural.Well done.
TFS,with greeting Milos.

Hello Sir,
interesting story :).........I wonder those children were a polite/sincere and didnt tie a thread to its tail. we used to tie the thread to his tail and use it as a kit. That was the fun in childhood. :)
BTW its really a nice capture(not at all atrocious)...the leaves look life half eaten by the guy.the blue sopt is amazing...The flash has been handled very well as it hasnt been Overexposed which is coomon for in house shot. And dont say "forgive me".. you are an Oldie with golden heart and everybody knows here that you wont do anything wrong :)
regards
Mahesh

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