........ OK, here goes, talk about putting a questionable, bordering on non-existent reputation for Dragonfly identification on the line.
But you have to learn when venturing into unknown waters.
All comments, corrections and wisdom greatly appreciated.
NB ..... it comes as no surprise that my technical advisors could be head to audibly sigh, throw their hands up in disgust and put me right ..... the cavalry came to the rescue !
Thanks to John Murray and Graham Barker.
Male Southern Hawker ? - NB actually a female.
Ruddy Darter .... or maybe Common ? - NB actually a male Ruddy Darter,
- well I got it half right.
No idea - NB its a Female Common Darter.
As photographs however I am quite pleased with the images.
This hand held image was taken with my 300mm F4 + 1.4 Teleconverter at a distance of approximately three meters.
When disturbed this Dragonfly kept on returning to exactly the same position on the walkway and I liked the way that the texture of the wood was off-set by the hard, brightness and geometry of the chicken wire.
p.s. - A friend tells me that it is indeed a Ruddy Darter.
I believe this is a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly and I can tell you that Dragonflies are very challenging subjects to photograph on the wing as they flit around, the light was not great and light quality is such a important factor contributing to good photography.
I was at the reserve today in the hope of connecting with the Hobby's but sadly they were not very active so to while away the time I decided to focus on their prey.
I plan to take these on as a bit of a project to improve on this image although it is getting late in the season., but certainly next year, as Dragonflies nicely fill the gap between summer and winter bird migrants.
I guess no matter how quiet things seem to be there is always a new opportunity to pursue, you learn every time you go out, that's the lovely thing about wildlife photography ....... a regular and very friendly dog walker and his good lady wife on the reserve shouted across in a very jocular manner ..... '' haven 't you got a home to go to '' ......... I understand the sentiment and it made me smile ..... but observation is key to success otherwise you just go for a walk and see nothing.
August can be a fairly quiet month for birds, summer migrants on their way out, incoming winter migrants not quite here yet ....... a bit like half time in a sporting match.
I find myself being drawn towards macro photography, a couple of my contacts Frank and Sharon Porch and John Murray have macro websites that ... well, just make my jaw drop.
I need to learn more about macro lenses and their cost !.
I am also not too happy with changing lenses outdoors especially at harvest time when the air is laden with dust ...... I know, an extra camera body solves the problem !.
I do have a Nikon AF-S 18-135mm so I will have to overcome my phobias and get a grip of macro and changing lenses, anyone reading this blog who can comment on the suitability of the above lens for macro .... all comments and observations greatly appreciated.
So today it was my standard set-up - Nikon D300s + Nikon 300mm F4 and 1.4 T.c. with a 1.4 T.c., tripod and remote shutter release.
Shooting from 10 feet is not ideal .........
The light quality was excellent and the subjects very helpful, that is, except for the Dragonflies who never seem to perch for a moment, apparently they have favourite perches that they return to on a regular basis ..... not for me.
I am more than ever convinced I need to go down this road .............. Watch this space !
In the meantime my best efforts with Banded Demoiselles.
July is normally a pretty quiet month in the birding world but the good news is that Damselflies and Dragonflies are at their peak and on the wing.
My lens set-up is not really suited to macro photography requiring me to stand eight to ten feet away from the subject in order to get focus, camera shake thus becomes an issue.
Still, how can you turn down the opportunity to capture sights like these gorgeous Dragonflies at rest.
Four Spotted Chaser
Scarce Chaser
Very common and very colourful with the metallic blue male and matallic green female, the banks of the river are heaving with them ...... all aflutter.
Again, a 300mm lens with 1.4 t.c. is not the ideal lens set-up for macro but I think I have just about got away with it.
A 300mm prime lens with 1.4 T.c. is not an ideal lens for this sort of work however the subject and pose were irresistible.
Stepping back about eight feet and steadying my nerves I was able to get several shots one of which I found acceptable for publication by my standards.
