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A surprise catch
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A surprise catch

by Kai Hui

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted November 3, 20041,838 views10 comments
VA has been warm than usual in the past few days, so I decided to check out one pond on the way to my work this morning. Surprisingly I saw probably 10 pairs of this kind of dragonfly mating. I guess they must be fooled by the weather.

However, they tend to perch on the ground which gives very messy background. I went to the water with my shoes and socks. I stayed in water for about 2 hours and got this shot. I had to throw my socks away before I went to my office because they were so wet.

Canon 20D, Tamron 180mm lens, f11, 1/200 sec, handheld, ambient light only.

Don't know the ID of this DF yet. They are small, about 1.5" long.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Jay Barnes on November 3, 2004 at 2:01 AM
This couldn't be better, Kai! Wonderful!
:toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 231 Posts, 1153 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Harrison on November 3, 2004 at 7:12 AM
Beautiful shot. I love the red dragon. The several days of extra warm weather was productive here also. :smile:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by David Gottlieb on November 3, 2004 at 7:37 AM
Worth getting your feet wet for.Looks sort of like a ruby meadowhawk .Interesting that the male doesnt clasp the female around the "neck" as it so often happens.Very nicely done
Registered on November 1, 2003, 436 Posts, 1790 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Bates on November 3, 2004 at 9:16 AM
Well worth the wet socks!!! Great capture of this pair!!! I hope you didn't get in trouble for going in late - and - with no socks..LOL

Michael
Registered on November 1, 2003, 149 Posts, 2381 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Vernon on November 3, 2004 at 1:46 PM
A nice behavioural shot Kai, probably worth being two hours late for work! :biggrin:
Registered on March 8, 2004, 24 Posts, 263 Comments
Comment posted by Terri Norris on November 3, 2004 at 7:17 PM
WWWWoooWWWWW!
Fantastic shot, Kai! :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 395 Posts, 2402 Comments
Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on November 3, 2004 at 7:57 PM
Kai,

Very nice find. I know it's a good feeling when you happen across a find like this. You did a wonderful job of capturing the action with good colors and clarity. Especially like the earth tones of the background, really works well with the colors of the DF's. :toast: :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on November 3, 2004 at 9:48 PM
Hi Kai

Excellent action image. Nice detail and color. Good work. :toast:
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Cloran on November 3, 2004 at 10:15 PM
Not only a great shot but an excellent nature story to boot. Definitely worth a pair of socks :wink:
Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Plonsky on November 5, 2004 at 7:55 PM
Nicely done.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 23 Posts, 224 Comments