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Hand Stand


Hand Stand
Photo Information
Copyright: Bill Houghton (poppygan59) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 89 W: 0 N: 189] (916)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2003-07-27
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon D60, Tamron 28-300XR, Microtech CF 256MB, Skylight
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-09-14 4:42
Viewed: 1368
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I shot this Blue Darner Dragonfly near my home. I understand that they take this position to cool themselves.

Dragonflies

Usually living near water, the dragonfly is one of earths creatures that are not only very useful, but also beautiful. They belong to thee insect group Odonata. Dragonflies come in varied colors; their bodies often blue, green, purple, and even bronze. Their wings seem to shimmer as if made of silver, especially when under the moonlight.


Starting out life as small nymphs underwater, they grow to be approximately three inches long, with a wingspan averaging two to five inches in width. While this may seem large for an insect, keep in mind that as they have evolved from pre-historic times, they have gotten considerably smaller. Evidence shows that at one point in time they may have had a wingspan of over two feet! One very interesting fact of the dragonfly is his six legs. Each of the legs is covered in short bristles. Using their bristle-covered legs to form an oval shaped basket allows them to scoop insects, such as mosquitoes, right out of the air. Dragonflies not only eat mosquitoes; they also keep the fly population and other flying insects under control.


Surprisingly, dragonflies will spend only a very short part of their life span as actual dragonflies. They will live as nymphs for up to four years, shedding their skin up to fifteen times, yet when they finally mature into adults, the dragonfly stage, they will survive only a few months.
Verti, Robbrown, gerhardt, TAZ, carper, Callie, ellis49, PDP, Jax, extramundi, slrnovice2 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Verti Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 14 W: 0 N: 12] (99)
  • [2004-09-14 5:02]

Good capture of the cooling-down pose. I like the depth of field. The white spot on the lower left is a bit distracting, though.

Yes Bill, Indeed a great shot. The background really makes this colourfull. Nice popse of the dragon too. Great work.

Bill, A unique presentation of an often photographed subject..See a little noise around the edges-not much though. Good colors.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2004-09-14 13:19]

Cet libellule a une position vraiment originale. Les couleurs du fond sont chaleureuses et agréables dans cette composition rérussie.
Well done !

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2004-09-14 13:28]

Really nice one Bill,
I love the handstand. He have lovely colours, but I like the composition the most. Great job.

Very nice bill the pose against the blurred BG , I would of liked to see both wings within the DOF , thing there was some room for using a slightly slow speed to give a higher F stop. How close were you? and the obvious silly question could you of crept any closer?

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2004-09-14 13:59]

Bill
Great new pose fir this dragon! Love the gymnastics here! This is so dainty, I would be inclined to call it a pirouette - [spellcheck, please] This really rocks!

Very good Bill.
Great colours , nice pose and good sharpness.
Great note.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-09-14 14:25]

Great shot Bill, the pose iis excellent as is the background. Well done and excellent note too.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-09-14 15:39]

Gran colorido y nitidez en este malabarista tan hermoso.
El fondo es natural o parte del PP?.
Otra trabajo bien hecho.

Great colorful and clearness in this beautiful juggler.
The bottom is natural or part from the PP?.
Another nice job.

  • Great 
  • Jax Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 91 W: 0 N: 153] (490)
  • [2004-09-14 18:18]

Lovely capture Bill - an entrant for the dragonfly olympics. Great colours and composition.

The composition and the colours are enough in this photo. Lovely.

The pose is what I find the most interesting. It looks like it it competing on the balancing beam. The depth of field is very good, and all that lovely background colour, makes this a perfect shot. Very well done.

Very good shot, nive pose and great BG colors.
Well done.
TFS.

I didn't know dragonflies would do this. It looks so funny! I like the colours and composition in this image Bill. Great POV. He looks like he is a beginner on the diving board, preparing for his first bellyflop! *grin*. TFS :)

Briliant. I like the colours, DOF and your sharp focus. I only think it's too much in the center of the picture.

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