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Leaftail with Bee
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Leaftail with Bee

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted July 25, 2011129 views6 comments
This Five-striped Leaftail Dragonfly turned away from the light, making the shot more difficult. I did managed a shot of it munching down the bee..
F/18, 1/400th, ISO 500, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + Kenko 2x ext.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on July 25, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Hey, Howard, I stopped in just as you put this up. Tough conditions but we get a good view of this (for me) unusual action. I never see a DF eating anything and always assumed they eat tiny insects while in flight. This specie is not among the ones we see here either. From reading your posts I must make a not to consider fill flash. I never think about it in bright light.

We got up to 94 degrees yesterday and it felt good. Summer finally arrives in Oregon. :rolleyes:

Charlie
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on July 25, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Howard, WOW! I haven't as yet seen a DF eating prey so this is fantastic. Don't see a problem with focus here (perhaps a little in the tail). Wish we had the variety of them in Toronto that you seem to.
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Lusk on July 25, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Howard - any time there is species interaction such as this makes me appreciate a photo that much more.

I just came back from the store and while waiting for the rain to let up, I glanced through a Birds & Blooms magazine. Congratulations on your winning WW Dove shot! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 25, 2011 at 6:21 PM
I think it turned out very well, Howard. It's sharp where it counts and even the shadow area is well placed: it's as though the details are too gory to be revealed in bright light. Eh, by the way, I hope that you will let us know if you win that grand prize in Birds and Blooms. I noticed Tom's comment and went to Birds and Blooms website. I even tried to join up to search their archives but they seem to be having a site problem right now. Anyway, you deserve it!!
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on July 26, 2011 at 2:18 AM
Howard:
The image is satisfactory but probably not good enough for your collection. :wink:

I have not tried any thing more than F13 on my DF shots because I do not use flash. Maybe I should try this. Certainly enough DOF here to get most of the wing pattern.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Todd Bielby on July 26, 2011 at 7:12 AM
I like the idea of this shot Howard. I never realize these insects were so carnivorous until I seen one grab a flying insect right out of the air. Then I see your shots of them eating. Kinda cool. I myself would like to grab a shot face on with another insect in there mouth. Would be a nice goal to shoot for but tough to get. Not sure I would ever find anything like that but u never know.
Registered on March 10, 2011, 169 Posts, 392 Comments