It took me a few weeks to photograph this female Eastern Pondhawk in this first photo. Then finally one day, I was able to capture these shots. These two were in the mating wheel practically on top of my foot, they were that close.
蜻蛉 （ODONATA）
15 years ago
21 comments:
蜻蛉池、不思議な空間です。小さな池です。でも、そこには、貴重な、掛け替えの無い命が存在するのです。私は、嘗て、書斎と書庫で、時を過ごして参りました。然し、私は、今、そのような世界よりも、蜻蛉たちの飛び交う、この池を好みます。この空間は、私の心と触れ合うのです。
合掌。
It is dragonfly Pond, mysterious space. It is a small pond. But there is valuable irreplaceable life there.
I spent long time in the study and a library. However, I like this pond which dragonflies fly about from such world now. This space comes in contact with my heart.
Pseudothemis, I feel the same way in my woods, especially around the pond when I watch my dragonflies. I have no need to capture and net them...I prefer to let them trust me and come to me. Although I do understand the need for some to do this as a means of us all learning specific I.D. characteristics.
Kim- I think your most likely bet for your first dragon is a female blue dasher. Your final picture appears to be one of the spreadwing damselflies in the genus Lestes, a group that is quite challening. Often, closeup shots of the their terminal appendages aids in their identification. Were you able to get a copy of Dragons and Damsels of Northeast Ohio? The authors treat the genus quite well.
Tom
To the viewers....Tom has been kind enough to offer I.D. at my request...please refer to the previous post on this response.
Good evening.
I dislike insect-collecting. I look at them for love. When I take a photograph, I keep it in mind as much as possible not to disturb their life. I love dragonflies heartily and respect them.
Hi Tom...Thank you so much on your I.D regarding the previous post! Yes, I have my copy of Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northeast Ohio, thanks to a visit of your most informative blog. After reading again the section on the Elfin Skimmer...you are correct...this dragon I photographed was larger than a quarter. It was on the small side, though, but definately larger than a quarter. My mystery photo(actually, most of mine are to me, being such a newbie!)in the previous post, I found confusing because it seemed larger than 2 inches, more like 3-1/2 inches. The wings appeared to me, at rest, more like that of a dragon than a damsel. After your suggestion, I looked it up...and yes, it is confusing! HA!...probably more like I'm confused!! Once again, Tom, thanks so much for your input!
I enjoyed comparing these pictures of the corresponding plates in my guide. It looks pretty straightforward Eastern Pondhawks. I find it easier to photograph them when they are feeding and blinded by love.
Hi Gallicissa...I agree...when they are "blinded by love", they are so much easier to photograph. The Pondhawks I pretty much have down pat as far as I.D....it's al-l-l-l the others I have a hard time with!!! It would help if I had a much better camera, and clearer photos(that's my excuse...and I'm sticking to it!). The whole...is it a male or female...I really need to study this winter!
By all means, I am no expert here, but nevertheless, totally overwhelmed by the great photography. Well done and looking forward to explore more of your great blog. Respect!
Kim,
I had a visitor to my blog over the weekend that reminded me of you. It seems that you two may have a bit in common. She and her husband recently moved to a country location (complete with pond I understand) and she is just now starting to explore and learn about her new home and surroundings. I thought perhaps you might enjoy dropping by her blog as the two of you are in the same general region of the country and might have lots to share. (She's from Indiana)
Here's her blog link:
http://havenwoodhouse.blogspot.com/
Hi Baker...Thanks so much for the suggestion...I did just that, I enjoyed her blog! THANK YOU! I'm hoping she visits my main blog, which is more of a variety of photos and insights into my world...(my brain!...now, Baker, there's the truly spooky part of me!).
LOL - I was wondering where the 'spooky' came from in the name and now I know.
I mentioned in a comment I left on her blog that I was going to recommend her to someone but didn't mention any name. Perhaps she will make the link. I don't know if you noticed but she has 2 blogs also with the Havenwood being mostly about the new home.
Baker
(Hey, even I have 2 blogs, lol. But the 2nd one is new and has a single purpose. I will only post to only when something interesting comes my way. BTW - did you notice the new header on Fish and Frog? An interesting dragonfly that only dropped by one day. Still haven't figured out what it is. Can't find one that color with the red in the leading edge of the fore wings. Maybe it was a juvenile. Those can often be difficult with different colors and markings from the adults.)
Hey Baker!...Yes, I noticed the pink dragonfly...is that really the color?? I thought you fudged it for Breast Awareness?? It is gorgeous! By the way...the "spooky" part is actually for a different reason! There's no debate, though, that's it's quite spooky in my head sometimes!! That's a little more evident in my main blog. Later, I'm going to check out your new blog more. I have alot more interaction with other bloggers on this blog, which I enjoy so much...wish I had that on Wishnik Woods at Blotanical. I thought it'd be the other way around?!
Kim - That was some dragonfly and that's pretty much the way the pic was. I very seldom do much to a photo, especially a dragonfly or damselfly. I think on that one I just cropped it and then sharpened it just a bit and added a very small amount of shadow to make the veins in the wings stand out better. I don't think it changed the color to any noticeable extent. I think perhaps the color in the photo is a little light due to the angle of the sun. In a few other photo's from other directions it was probably a bit darker. I used that one primarily due to the shape (wide and not too tall) which was a good fit for the header and the other photo's were more of a square.
It's funny how the blogs work out sometimes. I get comments on posts I think are just 'ok' and then get very few on posts I think are really interesting. Oh well, I guess it all works out in the long run.
And about that other blog. It's just a little place to post a few odd photo's and such that I find amusing. Never will be much I'm sure.
Baker
Baker...I will do the same for my damsel and dragon photos...sharpen, because I can't hold the camera steady and some shadow if needed to showcase the wings, also. Your dragon looks pink..curious as to what it is? I think I should re-name my blog...NAME THAT DRAGON! I have to rely on so much help for I.D. But, I do enjoy the conversations.
Kim,
I crop just about everything for posting on the blog. Some I sharpen, some not. But normally it is just a very minor amount. I sometimes add a small amount of highlight or shadow but normally not very much. I always try to remain as true to the color as the camera allows with my limited abilities.
I was surprised myself at how pink that one looked. I'm in the same boat as you about some of the ID's, lol. I have a good guide for our state. It is very new and well written in my opinion, but still I have a hard time, lol. I'm hoping I will be able to sort a few of them out over the winter. Plus, the author of the guide has some seminar type dragonfly outings around here during the summer so I'm going to be sure to make it to some next summer.
Baker
Baker...I do crop alot, and I have to sharpen most, does your camera have that stabilzer feature(?)for slightly shaky hands? That is one feature I need when I purchase a new camera, for sure.
Kim,
Yes, it has optical stabilizaion. Optical stabilization is a must for a zoom lens over say 3X I would think. Since I'm not trying to get 'professional perfect' photo's I don't ever use a tripod shooting those dragons and damsels. I lose quit a few to camera shake but I figure by not using the tripod I can just take more shots and have more fun. After all, the photo's are primarily just for me and the blog and I get enough decent one's for that.
Baker
Baker...I do the same thing(taking too many photos to try and get a couple good ones. I think that feature would help the overall quality for me. I know the photos are just for me and my blog, I'm not going for any awards(ONLY THE WHOLE BLOGGING WORLD SEES!). But, when I see these precise, beautiful shots on alot of these blogs...I start getting whiney like a little kid..I WANT MY DRAGONS TO LOOK LIKE HIS DRAGONS!! Well, you get the idea!
Kim,
LOL - I understand that feeling. The camera used for all of the earlier photo's on my blog was an older model without very many features and relatively low mega pixels. Over the past 4-5 weeks most of the photo's are from a newer camera but relatively inexpensive as cameras go. I got more zoom, but I know I will never get the super-zooms or the great macro shots I see in so many places on the web. Oh well, lol.
I think there is a fine line there on some of those macro's though. Sometimes it seems that the image becomes more about the capabilities of the equipment and photographer than about the subject. Nothing wrong that. It's just not where I want to go at the current time.
Baker
Baker...You're right, actually, I don't really need the macro-type photography(although it would be nice to have the choice). A camera with the optical stabilizer, greater pixels, and higher zoom(such as the Panasonic that Gallicissa mentioned)would be great, though. I saw a comment on one blog that I visited where the photographer displayed all macro shots...the commentator said that the photos almost didn't look real to him. Of course, that is one persons' opinion. It does make for an absolute I.d. if a few views were taken...but for my needs..just a slightly better camera would be nice. Alright..I'm done whining..have a good night.
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