Bejewelled Damselfly and other macros

[Dennis]

Hello,

Here is a batch of some recent macro photos taken in our back garden during April. We’ve had a few mornings with some heavy dew and this had added nicely to the subject matter.

Cheers

Dennis

[Liz]

OMG Dennis, they are fabulous!!! So right too with those delicate dew particles.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Great series, Dennis!

[astroboy]

Wow , great shots Dennis
I may be wrong ( and I usually am ) but I think the first shot is a Dragon Fly . A Damsel Fly ( not Damson ) has its wings together when resting, a bit like the difference between a moth and a butterfly.
I wish I had your patience to capture these amazing images , you wouldn't happen to be a Zen Monk would you.

Zane

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by astroboy

Wow , great shots Dennis
I may be wrong ( and I usually am ) but I think the first shot is a Dragon Fly . A Damsel Fly ( not Damson ) has its wings together when resting, a bit like the difference between a moth and a butterfly.
I wish I had your patience to capture these amazing images , you wouldn't happen to be a Zen Monk would you.

Zane

Hi Zane

Thanks for the nice comments and the query on type of insect, I’m certainly no expert and always welcome feedback.

I decided on Damselfly because the eyes have a wide separation across the head whereas Dragonfly’s are almost touching. Here are some previous shots that show the difference in the eye configuration.

I just guessed that the Damselfly was drying its wings?

I do find macro photography almost meditative; it is so absorbing that time zips by and the concentration leaves one feeling elated and peaceful. Spending hours peering into the macro world is quite uplifting, as I begin to recognise patterns of behaviour and gain some appreciation of their routines.

Cheers

Dennis

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Great shots, Dennis. Good to see some bugs still around.

First shot is definitely a damsel. I suspected the same as you, it's drying its wings or something. Or there are some exceptions to the "rule."

PS - thanks for the last shot. Love a bit of fly pr0n.

[lacad01 (Adam)]

awesome set of shots Dennis. I also thought that was a damsel fly but could be wrong

[iceman (Mike)]

Spectacular, Dennis. I don't know how you do it.

Incredible.

Do you focus stack?

[Dennis]

Thanks for the nice comments Troy, Adam and Mike – I appreciate them!

Cheers

Dennis

@Troy: it’s been a poor year for macro outings so I’ve just ducked out into the back garden whenever I could; I’m still channelling you and Andrew!

@Mike: if I am hand holding and the insect is stationary and there is little or no breeze to sway the foliage, I’ll take several shots by selecting different AF points on the insect and then I use Layers and Layer Masks in Photoshop to blend the in-focus parts of each frame.

[Paul Haese]

Simply superb Dennis. I have to say two stand right out for me. The singular fly and the close up of the damsel in the second lot of images. And; certainly the head of the moth. Absolutely cracking work.

[Troy]

Wow Dennis.

[Osirisra (Ken)]

Awesome shots as always Dennis!

Yep the first two are of a Damselfly spreading it's wings to catch more sunlight as to dry and heat up.

[ourkind (Carlos)]

Speechless, these images are absolutely stunning and need to be entered in as many macro competitions as you can! A standing ovation

[Dennis]

Thank you Paul, Troy, Ken and Carlos, I appreciate your lovely and thoughtful comments.

Cheers

Dennis

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Top shelf stuff Dennis - love the light control you have

[StephenM (Stephen)]

Another great set Dennis! The dew certainly makes for some interesting images.

Cheers,
Stephen