The Vagrant Darter
Yesterday I spent more than three hours wandering around Paarnoori in search for dragonflies. Sun was shining in its full but the light was still pleasant enough to photograph. -Actually light was very beautiful but not excellent though. Wind made only occasional blasts on the reedy shores of Preiviikinlahti. I felt very happy and priviledged to be there with my camera.
Summer nears its end and autumn is coming. Few flowers that blossom this time of summer are offering their precious nectar and pollen to the late summer insects. Mosquitoes have given up already, and it, by no means, doesn’t disturb me at all *grin*
Dragonflies were very co-operative and I shot almost three GB’s of pictures! Quantity over quality…hope not. I just wanted to be sure I got enough keeper shots. One purpose was to shoot every odd-looking dragon and identify it later. (By this far, they have all been vagrant darters…) I ordered this book to help me with the ID’s.
The picture is shot with 300mm lens + 36mm tube. I used shutter priority @ 1/400 to eliminate the shaking. -Tripod is your best friend with this combo! Picture is cropped a bit from the original to get better composition. I like the BG control gained by the telephoto lens I use.
Yes that 300mm sure creates backgrounds to dream about!
I don’t actually have any pictures of dragonflies or damselflies or such. Goes on my list of “things to shoot” next year.
You who are an expert on these, how about writing a “how-to” for a beginner like me? I mean, it’s one thing to run after butterflies but dragonflies spend a lot of time by the water and a careless photographer running after them could easily go for an unwanted swim… ;)
Go for it! It will be challenging but rewarding.
Expert, me? Dunno about that but something I have learned via experience. First of all you don’t run. Never. You have to move only a little or preferably not at all. Dragonflies have two large compound eyes, which have up to 30000 little hexagonal eyes called ommatids. So, good luck is the first requirement for a dragonslayer. *grin*
The warmer the day, the faster the dragon. I prefer shooting them (in early morning or) late evening, but anything suits. -Any time except early morning…I prefer sleeping U know…but that is the only time for dewdrop shots!
Use 300 and tubes and a tripod,(Tripod is a must with 300mm.) but I also prefer having the macro nearby. Learn to know the dragons, read some good book. The one I bought recently is very nice, but if you also can get your hands into Suomen Sudenkorennot – Sami Karjalainen, buy it.
As you can see, there’s little I can say to you about this subject. Just take a day with dragons and you’ll see how it goes. Examine the surroundings of the ponds you have an access to find these creatures right now. Also, pay attention when moving near old logging areas. Many species gather there for eating before mating.