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"Mosquito Hawk"


Photo Information
Copyright: Jim White (jmirah) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 506 W: 5 N: 1135] (4663)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-23
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D90, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-25 3:51
Viewed: 164
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Common Green Darner-female
Anax junius

Info on the Common Green Darner

Other Names

Green Darner, Dragon Fly

Description

When fully grown, green darners are about 3 inches (7.6cm) long and have a wingspan of 4.5 inches (11.4cm). They have a green head and thorax. The abdomen is yellow and brown on females; long, slender and bluish on males. They have large compound eyes, strong jaws, and spiny legs. Their wings are clear with a yellowish tint toward the tips and are strongly veined with net-like pattern.

Life History

Larvae eat fish eggs, tadpoles and other small aquatic animals. Adults eat wasps, butterflies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects (including other dragonflies). Larvae are eaten by fish, turtles, frogs, and wading birds. Adults are eaten by birds, fish and frogs. Two to three months after emerging as adult dragonflies, green darners reach sexual maturity. Eggs are laid one at a time in aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch in the spring. During the larval stages, generally lasting two to three years, the nymphs (aquatic larvae) pass through 11 to 12 larval stages before metamorphosing into dragonflies. Once they emerge as adults, they immediately begin the cycle again. Green darners spend a few years in larval form, and only live four to seven weeks as adults.

During the reproductive stage, the common green darner seeks fresh water ponds. Males return first, then females who have already developed a batch of eggs. If the female is receptive, mating begins. They often mate in flight. Immediately after mating, common green darner females lay their eggs, one at a time, in tiny slits in submerged aquatic plants. Males work hard to protect their territories. Some have been clocked chasing intruders away at 35 miles per hour. Common green darners are one of the few dragonflies that migrate in the spring and fall. Scientists believe that they migrate with seasonal warm fronts.

Most of a dragonfly's brain is dedicated to processing and responding to what they see. Their complex eyes provide nearly 360-degree vision. Dragonflies can hover like a helicopter. They can exchange oxygen through specially adapted anal chambers.

Habitat

Common green darners prefer permanent and temporary ponds, lakes, bays, estuaries and slow-moving streams and riparian areas (land adjacent to a body of water).
Distribution
Green darners are common throughout North America, the West Indies, and South America.

Other

Dragonflies haven't changed much over the last 300 million years. Today they are one of the most easily recognized of all insects. The common green darner is the largest, most abundant and widespread dragonfly species in North America. Common green darners are called "mosquito hawks" because they eat mosquitoes, providing an important service to humans. As an animal that lives in both freshwater and terrestrial (land) habitats, having healthy green darner populations indicates a balanced and healthy ecosystem.

Texas Parks And Wildlife
horias, tuslaw, maurydv, tcr, flashpoint, nasokoun has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 6 N: 5525] (19661)
  • [2009-10-25 4:09]

Hi Jim,a very nice way to show this dragonfly,i like a lot the lot of elements in the pic and the colors so naturals,perfect point of view and sharpness too,thanks for share,have a nice Sunday,Luciano

Yes!!!Another verry good picture.I like it verry much.Can be included in a zoological book.Congratulation and friendly regards.Alin.

Jim
Lovely Anax junius!
Great sharp details, lovely colors, good POV1
Congratulation!
Horia

Excellent photo Jim,
The detail is exceptional and the colors are very natural. You captured this beautiful dragonfly in a fine pose. Very good DOF. and just the right amount of exposure. TFS.
Ron

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619] (32124)
  • [2009-10-25 9:10]

Hi Jim. Its such a beauty . Which your picture shows with fine detail and sharp focusing. First class detail in the wings and body. Your use of the bright sun light has given such natural colours. All with interesting notes. well taken TFS.
Nick..

PS Thanks for your kind comments.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2009-10-25 9:29]

une tres jolie photo!
belle macro!
superbes couleurs.
bon focus et cadrage.
felicitations!

merci.

Hello Jim,
a very beautiful macro shot of this Dragonfly, superb sharpness and lighting, marvellous bright colours, a very pleasing close composition.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3808 W: 190 N: 11328] (34927)
  • [2009-10-25 11:09]

Hello Jim,
A fine capture of a female Green Darner, the dorsal POV showing its features with excellent sharpness and colours and the lighting is just right so that it is well seen on the bare twigs.
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan

hello Jim
very good shot
great details and very good Light
beautiful colours
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • tcr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 76 W: 0 N: 224] (866)
  • [2009-10-25 13:09]

Hello Jim.
The colour here is very pretty.
Spot on sharpness and light, nice composition and point of view.
Greetings and TFS.

Magnífico colorido Jim y un preciso enfoque hacen que esta sea una toma muy especial. Bien compuestas y acertadas las ramas que hacen de fondo.
Un excelente trabajo.

J. Ignasi.

hello Jim!
Also this overall view of Anax junius is good, with vivid colors and details

greeting sERGIO

hello Jim
the scene entire splendid, the chromatic output exceptional!bravo!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

Hi Jim,
Neatly framed and great capture of this dragonfly.Pin sharp image with explicit detail.
The datails of the fine veins on the wings are amazing.
erwin...

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