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Red-veined Darter for *Ulla & Ivan*


Red-veined Darter for *Ulla & Ivan*
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5371 W: 188 N: 14149] (38788)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-24
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Copula of Lepidoptera and Odonata, Bayram's Dedications-II, Dedications at treknature: Part Five, Professionals or Teachers Examples, Damselflies & Dragonflies, Love in Wildlife:) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-11-29 0:26
Viewed: 1156
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 66
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Sympetrum fonscolombii (Red-veined Darter)

Dear friends, yesterday Ivan and a few days ago Ulla uploaded a handsome male and a beautiful female Red-veined Darter shot, respectively. Upon these great postings I wished to upload a mating pair of this pretty dragonfly to complete the scenario:). I took this shot from Cyprus during our last trip to there. However, I also captured two additional shot from Turkey –which I uploaded to TrekLense- including the “love wheel position” and also the capturing a female by male in flight. If you wish to see these shots please click on the links of the subjects.
Of course, I would like to dedicate this “The Love Wheel Position” shot of the species to our heartfelt and kind friends, Ivan Kruys (Argus) and his nice wife Ulla Kruys (Uleko) . Hope you can like this Ulla and Ivan:)

TFL!
Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

The male's gaudy appearance and active behaviour is quite different from its more restful and subdued congeners. A strong migrant, erratic influxes are seen in northern Europe in early summer, when other Sympetrum are only beginning to emerge.

The wingtips of this species have small yellow-coloured pterostigma, edged with black, which distinguish it from the Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum). S. fonscolombii belongs to the family Libellulidae, whose members are strong fliers often perching on exposed reeds from where they dart out to snatch prey. Adult red-veined darters are red (males) or yellow (females), showing beautiful saturated colours. Young animals may be greenish, with black stripes on the thorax and abdomen, while the definitive colours are not fully developed. Total body length is 33-40mm and the Abdomen length 22-29mm, Often confused with the Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) because of the blue underside to eyes, yellow hindwing base, red coloration and active behaviour. However, that species is much broader-bodied and has no black on the face or legs. The female can be deceptively close to that of the Yellow-winged Darter (S. flaveolum), but the eye colour and vulvar scale –(a structure below 8th abdomen segment in females, along which the eggs leave the body, present in those species that do not oviposit into plant tissue)- are distinctive. Vulvar scale appressed, with broad U-shaped incision. The extent of hindwing patch is variable. Legs rarely all-black.

It ranges widely in warm parts of Africa and Asia. Resident and often common in the Mediterranean, but rare and irregular in the north. This strong migrant has been observed at sea and is the only libellulid on the Azores (Portuguese islands chain in the Atlantic Ocean). It prefers the warm, still waters, often open, bare and shallow, such as quarry lakes, sand pits, newly created ponds and coastal lagoons. Its life cycle is unlike other Sympetrum species, because the eggs develop rapidly after being laid, without a winter rest. It is observed throughout the year in the Mediterranean, though scarce from December to February.

A Note On Mating and Breeding Behaviours of D-flies:
In breeding period, the first step is the capture of a female by a male. Males typically grab females by the thorax in flight with their legs, then shift them around so the male's terminal abdominal appendages are holding the female by the head in dragonflies or behind the head (the prothorax) in damselflies. Both insects are facing the same direction, the female behind and below the male. The pair, said to be "in tandem", will continue to fly this way until actual fertilization takes place. Many species will fly to a perch for the next step, and others will continue in flight.
In order to transfer the sperm from the male to the female, whether perched or in flight, the female will curl the tip of her abdomen up to meet the accessory genitalia of the male. The pair is now in “wheel position, and females often reach up with their legs to grasp the male's abdomen. In the more flexible damselflies, the wheel position may be likened to the shape of a heart.
After several mating sessions many males bear marks on their abdomen near segment 7, where the females have been holding on. Several important steps are now taken. Using a set of paddlelike structures unique to odonates and some spiders, the male literally "scoops" away sperm left over from previous matings by this female. After that, the male deposits his sperm into the female. This process can take from just a minute or so up to an hour or more in some species. In perched species, observers can see visible pumping as this process is concluded. The female receives enough sperm in anyone mating session to fertilize all her eggs during her adult life, but if she gets captured by another male the whole process will occur again. During both the tandem and wheel positions other males often try to snare the female for their own breeding attempt.

References:

1. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp.
2. Dijkstra K.-D. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe including Western Turkey and noth-Western Africa. British Wildlife Publishing, Dorset, UK. 320 pp.
3. Beaton, G. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Soustheast. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 355 pp.
cypturk, Juyona, cataclysta, Argus, nkasot, eng55, siggi, LordPotty, uleko, zulfu, Gert-Paassen, eqshannon, jaycee, crs, bahadir, SMYRNA, NinaM, xTauruSx, SelenE, pilonm, montivipera, anemone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

That's great Bayram, a lovely maiting couple of dragonflies for Ulla and Ivan:), superb action macro with fine details, good sharpness and splendid light, bravo, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2309 W: 10 N: 2760] (15995)
  • [2008-11-29 0:48]

Hola amigo,
fine capture and excellent definition,
pleasant lighting and pov.
beautiful dedication,
good weekend;
saludos Bayram-

Gunaydin dayi hafta sonu da rahar durmuyon vallahi:) teyyarelerin ciftlesmesini ilk kez goruyorum. Demek buna ask tekerlegi diyorlar. Ilginc bir isim:). eline saglik. KIB.
Merih

Hi Bayram
Another intereseting presentation. Nice OOF background, good composition and POV. Also quite good sharpness. Note is as always very informative ;-)
TFS
Nest wishes
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4079 W: 190 N: 12063] (37165)
  • [2008-11-29 1:05]

Cok tesekkür ederim Dostum!
I have never seen S. fonscolombii mating in the wheel position so It's great to see it in this shot taken from a great POV in fine lighting and with excellent sharpness in your wonderful country.
Ulla and I are delighted with this dedication Bayram:
Thanks again,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1475 W: 40 N: 1698] (5096)
  • [2008-11-29 1:12]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Bu çifti bir çifte armağan etmeniz çok hoş olmuş:)Bakış açısını olabilecek en iyi yerden seçmişsiniz.Yusufcuklar tam paralel olmamasına rağmen alan derinliğinin geniş olması sebebiyle her bölge net çıkmış.Detaylar ve ışık da mükemmel.Öndekinin biraz zorda olmasına karşın arkadakinin keyfi yerinde gibi gözüküyor:)
Ellerinize sağlık,mutlu hafta sonları Dostum!

bayram hocam Kıbrıs'a her gelişinizde hiç boş durmuyorsunuz anlaşılan. Bu tekerlek pozisyonu çok değişik. Ben de daha önce hiç görmemiştim. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1630 W: 59 N: 5613] (19396)
  • [2008-11-29 1:17]

Hello Bayram.
Fantastic shot from the darters , beauty colours compositie details pov bg , very good job ,Greetings.
Best regards Siggi

Hello Bayram,

A splendid capture of this couple of dragonflies. Excellent POV, DOF and sharpness. Superb composition. Backlight is very well handled. Nice natural colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2693 W: 93 N: 6313] (19888)
  • [2008-11-29 1:40]

Hello Bayram,
Another very beautiful presentation in splendid light and colours. The sharpness is excellent with wonderful details. Great poses. Very nice OOF BG, DOF, POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Fantastic shot of these Darters Bayram.
Amazing detail and colours here,and a very useful and interesting note.
Good work!
Cheers
Steve

hi bayram,
this is great image in respect of the natural behavior of these species. very decent composition and lots of details, good use of light. tfs.
nagraj.v

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3179 W: 162 N: 1471] (4331)
  • [2008-11-29 2:37]

Hello Bayram,
Thank you so much for this fine dedication! It cheers me up a lot as I've ended up with bronchitis after our lovely holiday! This is a very fine clear view of this lovely couple in beautiful colours. I like your POV and the fine composition too.
TFS and all the best wishes, Ulla

hi Bayram,
This time I win! 26/10 to 24/10
we posted the same action of mating in the late season, with the difference that Cyprus is slightly more south of Milan.
however great detail and detailed notes

have a nice W.end sERGIO

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1243 W: 0 N: 171] (916)
  • [2008-11-29 5:15]

Merhaba Bayram hocam, muhteşem bir aşk halkası pozisyonu. Detayları, kompozisyonu, pozlandırması ve notları ile harika bir eğitsel sunum. Ayrıca dostlarımız Ivan ve Ulla için zamanında hediye olmuş.
Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram,
oooohhhh, that's marvelous.
I love the moment when dragons are mating.
They do that in such an acrobatic pose, it's wonderful.
Excellent work my friend, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi lil'bro,

Nice capture of these mating Darters.
Good of sharpness and beautiful colours.

Gert

hello bayram,
what a fine dedication to a fine couple, the focus is spoton and you have selected the dof so skillfully, the insects are in sharp focus, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

There should be a section for pure professional imagers..and I say this as a method of congrats for such a wonderful image. Again, it is people like you who really kow what they are talking about and knowing how to project those thoughts onto the image done in a superior way...very rare!
Bob

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-11-29 9:25]

Hello bayram,

You have used a very good DOF so that the whole insect's bodies are in focus. Therefore good details can be seen. There are also the wings, especialy theyr structure, that can be well observed. As you have used well the light the photo has nice and naturaly looking colors.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2683 W: 11 N: 7301] (23103)
  • [2008-11-29 9:26]

Hi L'il Brother,

I see how much Ulla and Ivan appreciated this dedication and the wonderful capture of the mating Red-veined Darters. It really is an exceptional shot where you froze the moment perfectly. Colors, details, and positions are fantastic. It was nice of them to perform in such a lovely setting. To top it all off the composition is superb.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1901 W: 36 N: 5581] (18522)
  • [2008-11-29 10:40]

Hi Bayram,
Excellent shot of these mating Red-veined Darters with very impressive sharpness and colours. Great moment captured and in fine posture. The lighting is handled pretty well too. Superb composition.
TFS.
Sumon

Merhaba Bayram hocam, Ulla ve Ivan'nın yüklemelerinden sonra bu kare gerçekten senaryoyu tamamlamış. Onlara da güzel bir hediye olmuş.
Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Kanka bu ne yahu:) teyyare böceklerinin özel yaşamlarına dahi girdin. Az uslu ol:). gercekten ilginç bir kare. kutlarım kardeş. eline sağlık.
Gökhan

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 815 W: 3 N: 2122] (6648)
  • [2008-11-29 13:43]

Bonjour Bayram, maybe such a picture will put more fire in their relationship ;-) Very nice picture. The more it goes the more I think that dragonfly are amazing creatures. They are like ballet dancers, acrobat, hunters, predators, a very particular kind of insect. This is a nice picture too, with the beautiful light lighting the wings of both insects. Thank you Bayram, very interesting,

Francine

Merhaba Hocam çok özel bir an ve harika bir makro:). Teyyarelerin üreme biyolojisiyle ilgili önemli bir belge ve eğitici notlar. Ulla ve Ivan için de güzel bir hediye. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Merhaba Bayram Bey,çemberi oluşturmuşlar,takip iyi sonuçlanmış.Çok özellerine misafir olmanıza hiç aldırmamışlar :)Güzel ve özel bir an ve net bir çekim,ellerinize sağlık :)

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 439 W: 10 N: 742] (3218)
  • [2008-11-29 20:53]

Merhaba Bayram,
Doğa dostu ve usta fotoğrafçılar olan sevgili Kruys'lara manidar bir hediye olmuş. Sıkıntılı bir ışık açısına rağmen çok başarılı ve ustaca bir kayıt. Aşk halkasının güzel bir örneği. Eline sağlık.

Hüseyin

Hello Little Brother


Superb shot - great pov and beautiful lighting/detail.

James

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2410 W: 63 N: 4270] (13948)
  • [2008-11-30 10:15]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Ivan ve Ulla icin cok guzel bir armagan. Guzel zamanlama, iyi detay almissiniz. Elinize saglik
Selamlar

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1999 W: 226 N: 6845] (24733)
  • [2008-11-30 10:45]

Hi Geckoman,
a great photograph of these mating Red-veined Darters.
The clarity is superb.
Immense level of detail.
Great composition.

Well done Bayram!

Joe

Hello Bayram,

With this kind of picture, the most important thing is to choose the ideal point of view! And it is what you've done here!!! f7.1 is small enough to get both dragonflies in focus and having the bg showing the habitat, blurred correctly.

Great job and TFS!

Michel

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok net ve güzel bir çiftleşme karesi olmuş, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar

Arka planla birlikte nefis bir eşleşme halkası olmuş hocam. Emeğinize sağlık.
Özgür

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