<< Previous Next >>

Common Blue Damselfly


Common Blue Damselfly
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: 2009-06-28
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Damselflys [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-12-07 11:27
Viewed: 2712
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) is a European damselfly.

The species can reach a length of 32 to 35 mm. It is common in all of Europe, except for Iceland.

Identification:
The Common Blue Damselfly can be easily mistaken for the Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), but on the back and the thorax, the Common Blue Damselfly has more blue than black; for the Azure Damselfly it is the other way around.

Another difference can be observed when inspecting the side of the thorax. The Common Blue Damselfly has only one small black stripe there, while all other blue damselflies have two.

During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs – this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface.

The eggs hatch and the larvae, called nymphs, live in the water and feed on small aquatic animals. Nymphs climb out of the water up a suitable stem to moult into damselflies.

Behaviour:
This small, brightly coloured damselfly is probably the most common of dragonflies and damselflies throughout much of Britain. It inhabits a wide range of habitats, from small ponds to rivers. They are especially common at lakes and reservoirs.

This damselfly requires a close look for a beginner to distinguish them from an Azure Damselfly. Typically, they fly low through the reeds and often fly well out over the water, unlike Azure Damselflies. They are also a brighter blue than Azures. They can be easy to get close to, but to tell them apart from an Azure Damselfly it is good to know what to look for.
Pentaxfriend, nglen, eng55, siggi, zulfu, matatur, Dis. Ac., chudy, Miss_Piggy, maurydv, Mello, Noisette has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Ha Buurman,

Dit is een mooi voorbeeld voor me Hans, ik gooi die blauwe juffers altijd door elkaar.
mooie pose, achtergrond en natuurlijke kleuren

TFS Thijs

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-12-07 11:35]

Hi Hans. This is a first class close up of this Common Blue Damselfly. You have used the light so well to give this clear picture. Which you have taken with fine detai land natural colours. I can see every little hair on its body. well taken TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2009-12-07 11:36]

Hi Hans,
Very nice capture of thisDamselfly.Colors,BG,DOF,compos,t,on and details are wonderful.Have a great week!
Thanks for posting..

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-12-07 11:42]

Hello Hans.
Great close-up. A good looking damselfly. Sharp details, efficient DoF and attractive composition with blurred BG.
Very well done.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888] (16941)
  • [2009-12-07 11:47]

Hello Hans
Amazing and perfect capture like always.
Excellent work!
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-12-07 12:03]

Weer een mooie Hans.
Prachtig heldere kleuren in de libel met een fantastisch contrast tegen de achtergrond. Enorm scherp en een goede compositie.
Groet,
Peter

hallo Hans
hij staat er weer perfect op
super scherp en mooi licht met mooie kleuren
weer een plaatje
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2009-12-07 12:22]

Hello Hans,
Great close-up shot of this lovely damselfly.
Colours, details and composition are wonderful.
TFS ang G's,
Mehmet

A beautiful damsel in great detail Hans, thanks to your expertly usage of the limited focal zone and good choice of a viewpoint. The contrasty, OOF BG simplifies the composition while enhancing the beauty of the subject.
TFS and cheers,
Mehmet

Hallo Hans,

alweer zo'n mooie juffer met veel detailering en mooie achtergrond waardoor hij mooi geisoleerd zit.
Prachtige kleuren.

Gert

  • Great 
  • chudy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 130 W: 0 N: 176] (899)
  • [2009-12-07 13:27]

Siemanko Hans!
The excellent snapshot Common Blue Damselfly,good colours and the pretty pastel background.
I am greeting Slawek

Hallo Hans
Time is currently chasing me but, in short I want to say:………..
The details captured on this damselfly is stunning, the colours vibrant,
and the composition, just the way I like it, in the centre. Great photography
in all aspects. Thanks for sharing.Kind regards from a very humid Empangeni.
Anna

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

Hello Hans,
a fantastic macro shot of the Common Blue Damselfly, very good sharpness and marvellous colours, excellent POV, DOF and composition well balanced
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

ciao Hans!
a good portrait of Enallagma cyathigerum
not easy to distinguish from Coenagrion puella....perfect posture and details

thanks and greeting sERGIO

Ciao Hans. Intrigant gemetric compo with fine details and soft tones. Exciting blurred BG.

Roberto

  • Great 
  • Mello Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 140 W: 34 N: 480] (2419)
  • [2009-12-08 12:50]

Great shot dear Hans,
Very good composition and perfect focus and POV.
TFS and see you on TN.
Best wishes,
Francisco

Hello Hans
very good shot of this Common Blue Damselfly, i like his intensiv blue colors
great contrast with BG, sharpness, pose and POV are excellent
wonderful composition
Have a good night
Jacqueline

Hi Hans

Great shot of this blue damselfly. Excellent POV. Good sharpness, details, DOF and OOF background.

chris

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF