Just a quickie post...I'm holding off for photos beginning my next dragon season...with a different camera. (ha!...like that will help my photography skills!) These are just a few from this past season. It's going to be a lo-o-o-ng winter!
蜻蛉 （ODONATA）
15 years ago
48 comments:
Spooky- It won't be that long, although longer than we would like, certainly. Did you get a new camera? Which one?
TOm
Hi Tom...Yes, I got a new camera for Christmas, a Nikon Coolpix p80...with an 18x optical zoom(hee-hee)10.1 megapixal. BUT..don't expect any miracles here! It seems so much more sensitive than my Kodak Easyshare. I need to do alot of practicing. I've ordered a tripod, hopefully that should help in certain instances.
As far as winter goes, it seems long enough, but thanks for trying!
We were out in that same 60+ weather on Saturday that you and Megan enjoyed. It was great.
SD: It looks like we have captured some of the same Ohio dragonflies. I had thought that you would like them when I was posting the set. I shot the white faced one at Triangle Lake.
I hope you have a great New Year with your new camera.
Hi fishing guy...I just started photographing them this year, too. I would love to capture more of the large dragons..hopefully the powerful zoom will help! Happy New Year!
謹賀新年。
A Happy New Year.
I had a look at the figure of the dragonfly and have smiled unintentionally.
I am happy.
Happy New Year to you, Pseudothemis!...I smile too, especially when looking at the Blue Dasher in the top photo. I remember how friendly this dragon was..and for days would rest on the daylillies next to me as I watched the other dragons zoom around. It was comical, I would cock my head to one side as we stared at eachother, and then to the other side...the dragon would do the same. Some people may not think this is true, but I think because I had access to them everyday as I walked out the door, they became trusting of me. I hope you're feeling better everyday!
Blue Dasher and Eastern Pondhawk?
Nice pics anyway. Congrats once again on your new toy.
A distance of 1 m or so with the camera zoomed at 15-18 x should give you nice blurry backgrounds.
Practice practice and practice and you will hit the best working distance and settings. Don't ignore manual mode.
May it give you endless happiness this New Year!
Hello Amila...Welcome back from your Christmas tour. I left you a Happy Birthday wish yesterday on your latest post...in case you didn't see it...Happy Belated Birthday!
If you're referring to the top two photos...I think that the second is possibly the Eastern Pondhawk. The top dragon, can be confused with an immature Pondhawk, but after referring back to my guide, I'm fairly certain it's a Dasher.
Now I know why a few weeks ago you had suggested to get a new camera now and practice much before dragon season!! The Nikon is very sensitive(due to higher megapixels maybe??) I'm waiting on the tripod, I will most certainly need that. The manuel mode is where I'm having difficulty. Can you suggest a good setting in bright sunlight that I should start practicing with around the pond?
Looking forward to new posts from your tour!
Hi Spooky, I found your comment was so happy to see you! I have you on my list that I'm following now and can't wait to see your new season of joy when it comes!'til then, enjoy moment practicing with your new camera :)
Hi Diane...You're enthusiam for your backyard bird sanctuary is the same excitement that I feel for my dragons! You might want to check out my main blog(Wishnik Woods) for upcoming bird shots. I recently photographed a Pileated Woodpecker! Talk about excited! It'll be in an upcoming post. Thanks for stopping by here and be sure to check back when it starts warming up. Glad your sanctuary is coming along nicely!
You have so many interesting blogs that its hard to keep up with them. I always like looking at your dragonfly photos. I will have to post a few more of mine sometime soon for you to check out in the next few weeks.
Hey Bernie...I look forward to seeing those posts! I am a die-hard dragonfly lover...obviously!
Hi Spooky, Happy New Year! Can't wait to see your new photos with your new camera in the coming new dragonfly season! For us here in the tropics, it's one looong season... hehehe, no break for us! Cheers, Joe
Joe...Joe...Joe, You just had to rub it in?!! Alright...now I expect to see more dragon captures posted at your blog!! No excuses! I wish you a very Happy New Year, too!....and maybe just one good snowfall!(ha-ha)
Hi Kim,
Very sorry for my delay in replying you. Thanks again for your B'day wishes and for confirming identifications.
Although I haven't tried, I'd definitely find it difficult to chase & capture a highly mobile group of insect group such dragonflies with a tripod-mounted.
Tripod is a no no for most dragon chasers that I no. BUT it might work for you in certain situations when an individual lingers on a branch for long.
A setting in bright sunlight: f5.6 (or thereabouts) and 1/250 shutter speed (or thereabouts). Also try these with flash on as well. Practice, practice practice. Be preapred to shoot a lot and delete a lot as well. Gradually you will have more 'keepers'. Try auto as well as manual focussing. Don't get restricted to one set of settings only.
Try full auto first, study see the aperture and shutter speed the camera comes up with (note it!) and apply the same in manual mode to see if it works. Chances are that it might or might not work! It may not work when the camera secretly increases a higher ISO in poor light. Unless you too increase that too in poor light along with the auto generated settings of aperature and shutter speed, you will not get the same results.
Before diving head on to do manual, try to master the auto with compositions, working distance using or not using of flash etc.,
Hi Amila...Thank you so much for all the info, you've always been such a big help and inspiration to me. No apologies needed from you, you are one busy guy.
A couple of people have suggested that I use a tripod, I never wanted one. I explained to them that I didn't feel it would be of much use for the dragons in flight. Then I came upon this site...photomigrations.com. Sorry, I don't know how to link from here! He suggests using a tripod for photographing the dragons, yet says that it may scare them off. I'll have to see how it works. I just received it Friday. This Nikon for some reason, seems very sensitive, and the stabilization is on?! Maybe I will enjoy this tripod after all for overall shots, if not the dragonflies.
Again, Thank you for all the advise and dropping in here.
Congrats again...Best Photoblog of 2008!
Your pictures are really great! Have much fun with your new camera, 18y optical zoom OHO!!!
Hi Maria...I can't wait to try that zoom out on my dragons! Thanks for the visit!
Awsome pics! You don't need a new camera ;-). They are truly intriguing, all those colours. I'm sure you've said it before, but how many species do you have in your garden?
Hi Camellia...Thank you, I'm hoping the 18x zoom will help me capture some of the larger dragons that tend to stay higher in the treetops the majority of the time. I don't have an exact count on the species, I hope to do that this season. Off the top of my head...I can think of about twelve different dragons and I'm honestly not sure how many damsels. Last February, on a warmer day, I saw the first dragon of the season...it's getting closer!
That's fantastic. Have you introduced them yourself, or do you actually live in the dragonfly/damsel secret haven of the world!?
Hi Camellia...We had a few before we built our pond, but once the pond filled...they all came. Ha!...I like your description of a secret haven for the damsels and dragons. I'll just indulge myself in that fantasy land! They are so very curious of me, too. I truly believe that it's because they see me all day, every day. I'd come home from being out in town and the meadowhawks would land on my rearview mirror or windsheild and "escort" me on my walk up to the cabin. Sometimes, I'd stop and they would land on my arm or hand. It's a pretty amazing experience...at least in my own little world! It's the trust between two different species that intrigues me. I'm a strange one. huh?!
Makes me think of the film 'Pan's labyrinth', have you seen it? The little girl being found and escorted by a dragonfly...
No, I haven't! I'll have to check into that! Thanks!
Loved your photos and was totally mesmerized by the shimmering magic of the trees on your Wishnik Woods blog. I couldn't find where to comments so I came back here. Seeing your beautiful photography, it's good to be back! Cheers!
Hello Viooltje...It's good to see you back! Thank you for stopping by here to leave a message. Lately, I've been having alot of computer problems (more than normal with my slow connection), I've also had alot of the same type captures. So, I thought I'd give my regular guests a break on leaving comments and at the same time...I'd have more time to visit others.
I thoroughly enjoyed your most recent post on the little hoglets! Wow...God bless you! Thanks again for popping in over here!
Spooky,
if you ever need dragonfly IDs I'm pretty good with most of them. Optical zoom imo is not nearly as good as real zoom. Enjoyed your photos. I'll be posting photos of spring goodies like Ulher's and Sely's Sundragons and Springtime Darners in a few weeks when they come out.
Hello Randy...IF I EVER NEED HELP WITH I.D.?!?! You'll be my new blogging buddy!! I always need help with I.D! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comment/offer of help. I'm off to visit you now!
Great images,like your Blog lots.
John
Hello John...Thanks for stopping by and following. I hope to have some better captures this season, as I have a new camera...I STILL can't figure out how to use it...but it should help in some manner. I've had no photography training whatsoever, so, I do alot of whining! I'm anxious to see my dragons back. I'm off to your blog! Thanks again!
Hello again, John...I just came back from your blog, lots of great photos! Sounds like you and Sue enjoy life. I'm sorry...the comment feature wasn't working for me, but the follow feature was. If you could please visit my main blog, Wishnik Woods....go to my side bar and click on to..An explanation to my guests. The last couple of paragraphs in that post explains my troubles with visiting other blogs...but, I will keep trying to comment on yours. Enjoyed my visit to your blog!
Awesome blog and photos!
Hi Bird World!...Thanks for checking out my blog. I do have birds posted on my main blog...Wishnik Woods...including the Woodpeckers. Good-luck with your Birding blog...I am impressed!
TO MY GUESTS....
Bird World Blog belongs to a 12 year old bird enthusiast! He's got quite an interesting blog...you just may want to visit him!
Hi dear dragonfly,I have a small award for you at my blog,if you want it,its yours.Ciao Sandra
Hello Aleksandra....Thank you so much for the award! I have multiple problems due to our connections. I had left a "thank you" on your post. Several times I attempted to copy the award and couldn't! I hope you read the side bar on my main blog....Wishnik Woods...an explanation to my guests. I encounter several problems while blogging. I will continue to try and retrieve the award...in the meantime, please know that I appreciate the gesture! I haven't posted in over two weeks due to problems.
Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, I'll have some new dragon captures posted here!
Hello...
My name Is Indra.
Nice To meet U
By:
http://legendindonesia.blogspot.comhttp://palembang-musi.blogspot.com
Hello Indra...It is nice to meet you, too. Thank you for stopping by. I went to your blog before posting this comment. You are very talented at capturing images of Indonesia and its' natural beauty!
Oh! What a great photo the first one is!!
Forehead Stamp
Hello Bhavesh...Thank you for visiting, I'm happy that you enjoyed my photograph. Hopefully, soon I'll have new photos of this seasons' dragons.
I tried to visit both of your blogs before commenting here...I was able to leave a comment on only one of your blogs (please refer to the side bar of my main blog Wishnik Woods...An Explanation To My Guests). You have such a wide variety of interesting captures...I enjoyed my visits!
Apologies if my other blog didn't open correctly, and you couldn't put your comments there! The blog is specifically for Mozilla Firefox 3 and Internet Explorer 7 web browsers.
Thank you for your nice words :)
Bedse Caves
Knock, knock...
Hello Bhavesh...I've said it over and over throughout my posts...I am technically challenged...in EVERY sense! It's just been over a year since I have begun using a computer, and I admit, I have no desire further my knowledge. I always felt that computers robbed an individual of time well spent...yet, now...here I am spending way too much time staring at this screen!
Enjoyed your Moon and Sun post...I have seen that here in the woods!
Who's there?
Hi Amila...I spotted the male and female Spring Darners on Sunday...I was thrilled! I wasn't able to photograph them...not so thrilled. Since then, it's been cool and rainy and have seen no other evidence of damsels or dragons. Not much longer!
WOW! that top photo is incredible love that shot :)
Hi Philip...Thank you, this particular dragon was a very friendly one. He would stay perched on that bloom right next to me as I watched all the other dragonflies. At times, they would land on me! That was a real thrill for me.
Hello again Philip...I tried to return the favor and visit you. I left you a message on your latest post...I don't think it went through. On my blog, Wishnik Woods(the side bar..An Explanation)explains my problems...I apologize if I can't comment on your blog...so here goes....
Your photography is amazing! I have to tell you that your Vulture capture is STUNNING!! I enjoyed my visit, but, that Vulture....incredible work!
46 Comments just sums up your great Images. Still think your Blog rocks.
John.
Cornwall U.K
Hi John...Thanks! I have something like 47+ photos to post here, too! I've got to get a move on it...I haven't even tried to I.d. my photos yet. I'll probably work on a post in a few days, but without I.D. On my main blog, Wishnik Woods, the latest post does feature a dragonfly that I was holding. I'll TRY again to visit you...I have the same problems! (YES!...little demons in my computer!).
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