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Laying her eggs #2-5 +
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Laying her eggs #2-5 +

by Mark Seaver

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted July 5, 2016447 views9 comments
Here are the other catches from this female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) laying her eggs.  #2 may in fact be a better catch, with improved sharpness of the tip of her abdomen, while 3 - 5 are looks with her in other orientations.  (7D2, 180mm macro,

Looks like I got distracted and forgot the rest of the techs:  f/8, 1/2000s, iso 800, tripod with loosened ball head, note the misstatement in the earlier post about hand holding)

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 5, 2016 at 10:12 AM
This view almost catches a tail dipping.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 5, 2016 at 10:12 AM
A head on shot.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 5, 2016 at 10:13 AM
From behind.  I think that most (or even all) of the dots in the puddle are DF eggs.  It's clear that for some reason, these Blue Dasher females choose specific puddles, since only a tiny fraction of the lily pads with puddles include what look to be eggs.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Jake Alletson on July 5, 2016 at 1:41 PM
Hi Mark,

You have certainly captured an impressive gallery with these.  I think that they are better than the first submission.
Registered on May 3, 2016, 12 Posts, 163 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on July 5, 2016 at 6:59 PM
An impressive series, Mark, and very interesting and educational. All are fine captures, but I especially like the second one with the small snail. Just great. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on July 5, 2016 at 8:52 PM
These are all great captures, Mark!  My favorite one is the head on shot, because I think the head on view is really cool and I like the motion blur of the wings and I like the shadow.
Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments
Comment posted by Nolan Rowell on July 5, 2016 at 11:21 PM
As someone who loves taking pictures of dragonflies, I'm jealous! Great comprehensive set of behavioral pictures. I love that each of the photographs that you posted adds more to the story of what this particular behavior looks like for this species.  My favorite was #3 because of the pose of the dragonfly and also the snail too. What was your ss on these?
Registered on June 28, 2016, 13 Posts, 41 Comments
Comment posted by Yun Gao on July 8, 2016 at 12:19 AM

Wonderful series and tough shots, Mark. My favorite one is #1. I like the great plane of focus and sharpness. Nicely done!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on July 9, 2016 at 7:10 AM
Hi Mark,
Shot #1 is my favorite of the series. Nice details and you captured all the wings within the shot. Well done......................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments