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Neon Skimmer


Neon Skimmer
Photo Information
Copyright: Ken Slade (Ken52) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 636 W: 93 N: 1243] (4195)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-31
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 350D (Digital Rebel XT), Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, 58mm circular polarizer
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): 60-69 points (Chapter 3), Dragonflies of the World [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-06-04 23:59
Viewed: 4237
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 64
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have decided to begin a dragonfly series beginning with the male Neon Skimmer. I took this photo at my local botanical garden on May 31. The male Neon Skimmer is the brightest red dragonfly in my area. The female is more of a tan color. Last fall I posted the female.

Neon Skimmer (Libellula croceipennis)

Identification:
Neon Skimmer: males bright red with amber wing color only covering a quarter of the wing, halfway to the nodus, and not all the way back to the rear edge of the hind wing. Female paler and with essentially clear wings.
Similar to Flame Skimmer, but thorax and abdomen bright red, wings not as broadly amber/brown streaked. (Amber wash on wings does not extend beyond the nodus)
Length 54-59 mm

Range:
Southwest: Southern California, Arizona, Texas, eastern New Mexico.

Habitat:
Slow streams, ponds. Neon Skimmers prefer shaded moving water when there's a choice of sites, but males will defend ponds as well. Males are typically found near water, defending territory vigorously early in the season, and perching more often later. Females appear at water to lay eggs. Perching sites for males include bushes, trees (both overhanging water, and near water), and strong emergent vegetation; perching height is usually one to five feet above water, most commonly 1-3 feet. They will perch on horizontal, slanted, or vertical twigs/branches/stems.

Season:
April-November

Life Cycle:
Females lay eggs in standing or slow-moving water by dipping the tip of the abdomen and "scooping" drops of water, with eggs, onto algal mats or emergent or streamside vegetation. Females are not clasped by males during egglaying, which typically takes place in midday (late morning through early afternoon.)

Remarks:
Compared to other red dragonflies in the area, male Neon Skimmers are larger and "glow" in the sun...they are aptly named "Neon." The females are golden-colored in sunlight, especially when laying eggs, but may look duller tan on cloudy days or in shade. Very strong flyers, relatively bold and easy to photograph.

Source: http://bugguide.net/node/view/36801

Aperture = f5.6
Shutter = 1/400s
ISO = 400
Focal Length = 250mm
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens
JPlumb, Kathleen, delic, blakitan, Proframe, GLEM, horia, TAZ, angybone, jmirah, lawhill, Silvio2006, uleko, Alex99, livios, Tamrock, mikou, Debz, julian, cicindela, Perro, Demetrio has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To angybone: framesKen52 1 06-05 20:41
To Kathleen: ThanksKen52 2 06-05 09:24
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2007-06-05 0:13]

Hi Ken,

Wonderful pose of the dragonfly grasping the stalk. Every detail is sharp and clear. Its colors are beautiful. Lovely composition and background.

Jane

Hi Ken, Incredible shot. The colour, composition and detail on this are amazing.

Thanks, John

hi ken,
very nice shot, composed well, nice clarity with good details, saturated colours look lovely, nice bg, liked the pov too,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Ken.
You do amazing photos and again another great image. Colour, detail, DOF, composition, all spot on. Love the way you have presented this in its frame, excellent.

Kathleen
New Zealand

Hello Ken,
A fine piece of macro work with attractive details!
The insect is well captured and appears very delicate, great colours and pin sharp details...
Good composition, a treat for my eyes!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  •      
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 404 W: 69 N: 951] (4247)
  • [2007-06-05 2:33]

Hi Ken,
impressive image of this skimmer. Well taken image, nicely sharp and well chosen point of view. The large white spot in the BG is a bit distracting, but defenitly nothing serious.
Regards, Jacob
*

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-06-05 2:36]

Hello Ken,
This is one of the best dragonfly photos I've seen. Colors and detail are superb. Composition is one of a kind the way it's holding the green stem. I also like the smooth background and the fact there is no empty space in the tight view. Great work!
Regards,
Hakan

Hi Ken,
Excellent shot, superbly focused and nice DoF, great sharpness and very neat image.
Lovely colors, very aesthetic piece of artwork.

BL

Very, very beautiful dragonfly image Ken.
Awsome colors and color contrast.
Clarity and composition are superb.
Excellent work. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards, Harry

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 540 W: 87 N: 750] (10)
  • [2007-06-05 5:47]

salut KEN,
c'est la pleine saison pour ce genre d'image, et quand on est pêcheur c'est le lieu idéal.
Superbe spécimen bien mis en valeur. La netteté est bien dosée.
tfs

gl

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-06-05 6:10]

Hi Ken,
Outstanding portrait of the Neon Skimmer. Majestic neon colours, true to its name, and immaculate sharpness. Excellent POV to have it perfectly horizontal. The green stalk adds nice colours to the frame and the BG the beauty. Looking forward to more from you in this series. Very nicely composed and framed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-06-05 6:52]

Hi Ken

This is a true beauty - both the shot and the dragonfly!
I really like the DOF here most of all because it keeps the subject so well in focus and also blurrs the BG superbly!
The positioning of the d-fly in the frame is also great and the sharpness with which it is presented is exceptional.
The colors are very beautiful and the exposure is spot-on.
Very nice framing, too and also the small inclusion of its name.
Excellent work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2007-06-05 7:10]

Bonjour Ken,
Wow ! It is a wonderful close-up for this lovely "Libellule".
The "+++" : good composition, smart frame, great subject, pose, POV, colors, sharpness, DOF, soft BG, exposure, instructive complementary note...
The "-" : nothing...
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Christian

First I have to say I like the frame. That's different for you to frame. :)

This is a great sharp, clear, boldly detailed shot. Great color, perfect depth of field. The composition really gives the impression of him 'holding on' to that blade.

Great macro...Fine detail and color...An unusual dragonfly, at least for me...I have never seen one of that color in Galveston...Informative note...TFS
Jim

Hello Ken ,
Fantastic shot, great colors and POV nice BG
well composed Best regards/Lawhill

Hi Ken, splendid macro with great colors and excellent sharpness, elegant presentation, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-06-05 9:41]

Hello Ken,
Fabulous close capture of this Neon Skimmer which is new to me. Brilliant sharpness and colours and I like your composition very much.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2007-06-05 9:43]

Hi Ken.
Indeed outstanding composition and beautiful at highest range scene. BG is unique of its colourfulness and beautifulness too. But the principal point of your shot is amazing butterfly on impressive stem. Bravo and my best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • partha (54)
  • [2007-06-05 9:45]

Hi Ken,
Perfect timing. Excellent placement of the subject.The background is chosen well here.
Regards.
partha

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 385 W: 16 N: 531] (1981)
  • [2007-06-05 13:26]

Hi Ken,
This is an excellent post. I like it very much. The pose of the dragonfly and the position of the green branch are great.
Excellent focus, sharpness, details and colours.
Well done!
Paula

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2007-06-05 21:54]

Ken, a clear and beautiful image.

I do enjoy lighting, pov and composition.

Great sharpness and contrast too.

An excellent job.

hi ken!
very good macro with great
sharpness and fine pov and dof!
good work!

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 869 W: 68 N: 1479] (6093)
  • [2007-06-06 15:48]

Hi Ken.
Superb macro.Composition,POV and pose are really wonderful.Good sharp details and beautiful colors.Pretty soft tones on blurred BG too.Excellent your macro work!
TFS,with greeting Milos.

Hello Ken,
Nice photo, good details and composition. TFS.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 0 N: 847] (3307)
  • [2007-06-07 4:08]

Hi Ken, this is such an interesting view of this magnificent Dragonfly. The moment of capture makes it look like fairy. So sharp with great detail and the colours throughout are wonderful. I particularly like the wing positions and movement. It is a unique portrait bursting with energy. Great work.
tfs
debz
:) 2mrro

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2007-06-07 13:51]

Hello Ken , What a fantastic shot you came ,realy great capture from this dragonfly , the details and the colours ar amezing, tfs Greetings Teunie .

Another great photo. Love the reddish tones on this one. Also the pose again. Well done.

Julian

Hello Ken!
There are not very numerous dragonfly species from N America on TN (even if this group is rather often presented here) so it is a real pleasure to see this picture. Fantastic colours, very good DOF and POV. Bravo also for the note :>
TFS and have a nice Sunday!
Greetings,
Radomir

Hello Ken.

Excellent picture, very good details and colors.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

Hi Ken,
Very good framing and details. I like the position of this dragonfly too.
Did you see "my" dragonfly ?
Regards.
Fred

  • Great 
  • Perro Silver Star Critiquer [C: 41 W: 0 N: 59] (553)
  • [2007-06-16 18:39]

Hello Ken,
A perfect dragonfly photo and very well composed!
Clarity is superb, details are great and colors are just beautiful on a very nice smooth background.
Excellent work Ken!
Congradulations one moore time!
My best regards,
Janette

Hello Ken,
Fantastic presentation of this dragonfly, colors and sharpness super. Great work and notes.

Demetrio

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