Monday, June 28, 2010

Emperors in Flight

I spent a hot hour this afternoon trying to photograph Emperor dragonflies in flight - a very frustrating activity but I did end up with one sequence of images in focus - typically the very first images that I took. Which wing position do you think works best?



2 comments:

Ian Wilson said...

I think this set should have been called "impossible task" too, as these beasties don't half move when it's warm. For me you need to be able to see all four wings, ideally in an "X" shape. Number 2 is like this, but the wing cuts the abdomen in half. Number 3 has a clear abdomen, but the wings are in a less pleasing position. I rather like number 5, which shows the "X" shape, and has the abdomen exactly behind one of the wings (and visible through it). So, in answer to your question, it would have to be 2 or 5!

Chris Fell said...

I think that I concur with Ian in wanting the X shape and preferring 5 to 2, but I wish that you could have caught the Emperor smiling - his head on view makes him look very glum!

Seriously, isn't the alternation between fore & aft wings one of the distinguishing facets of dragonflies from damselflies? The damsels beat their wings in unison? Or am I dreaming?

Ann Miles Photography - My Favourite Images of the Past10 years or so