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Banded Demoiselle


Banded Demoiselle
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Hendriks (hansh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 1 N: 741] (2762)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Damselflys [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-11-18 9:01
Viewed: 2892
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is often found along slow-flowing streams and rivers. It is an Eurasian species occurring from the Atlantic coast eastwards to Lake Baikal and north-western China.

This is a large damselfly with a total length of up to 48 mm and a hindwing length of up to 36 mm.

The male has translucent wings which each have a broad, dark iridescent blue-black spot (or band) across the outer part. On immature dragonflies the spot is dark brown.

The female has translucent, pale green iridescent wings with a white patch near the tip, and a metallic green body.

Females can lay up to 10 eggs per minute for 45 minutes. They lay in a wide variety of emergent or floating plants, sometimes even submerging to do so.

The eggs hatch after 14 days. The larvae have very long legs and are stick-shaped. They develop over two years, usually. They tolerate muddy water and overwinter buried in mud. When they are ready to moult into an adult, they climb up a suitable reed or plant and shed their skin.

Males are usually territorial, but large numbers can sometimes be found in lush bankside plants and on floating objects. They court females by opening their wings and performing an aerial dance. They are usually found among mature, slow-flowing streams and rivers and sometimes canals.
Pentaxfriend, marius-secan, loot, Noisette, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Hans,

An insect very flashy, very well photographed. You've managed very well the light incidence. Good work. Excellent crop and composition.

TFS

Jesús

Ha Hans,

Prachtige kleuren laat je ons zien in dit shot
Mooie compo, goede scherpte
Lastig POV maar een prachtig resultaat
deze libelles heb ik hier aan de kust nog niet gezien helaas

TFS Thijs

Hello Hans,
Superb details and amazing colours. Excellent sharpness.
Marius.

  • Great 
  • Mello Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 140 W: 34 N: 480] (2419)
  • [2009-11-18 10:31]

Simple but amazing picture. Well done Hans. TFS.
Francisco

hallo Hans
dit is er weer een om in te lijsten
zo scherp en mooie compositie met super mooi kleuren
mooie 3D effect
groetjes lou

That's so wonderful, Hans, I love these elegant demoiselles so much.
Special those blue ones are fantastic - but I never had one of these models in front of my lens ;-(
So thanks for yours, groetjes
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
  • [2009-11-19 9:03]

Hi Hans

Now that's definitely what one can call a fabulous damselfly. However, one would
not have done so if the presentation did not do justice to such a fine specimen.

Although you had to deal with a mid-day sun, you have managed to contain and to
control the lighting very well. The evidence on the leaf clearly show that it was a
warm or harsh light, but the insect show no OE areas and the shade below the tiny
insect is rather soft. You also achieved a beautiful balance in the colours. While the
damselfly seems to be well saturated the leaf appears vaguely toned. The detail too
are well managed. With the aperture at f/10 you ensured that no bit of detail was lost.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hello Hans
superb shot of this Calopteryx splendens taken with stunning details
fine pose on grass, the bright blue color of the damselfly contrasted very well with the delicate colors of the surroundings, i like also the shaddow on the grass
Very well done
Jacqueline

Ciao Hans, lovely composition with elegant damselfly, fantastic colors, fine details, beautiful blurry BG and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Hans,

An outstanding close-up capture of this male banded demoiselle from lateral POV with excellent DOF, fine details and delightful composition.
TFS and Cheers,

Bayram

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