A Pond a Some Dragonflies

[Loupey]

Caught these (Friday?). Figured the green floating weeds would make a nice background.

The 2nd and 3rd shots are about a second apart as I saw the perched one prepare then give chase to the flying one.

All with the 300mm handheld.

[Loupey]

...BTW, if you wondering - yes, I did use the 2x TC as well

The first one is a slight crop while the 2nd one is almost full-frame. The 3rd one is a blowup of the 2nd image. And keep in mind that the 2nd/3rd image is of a moving dragonfly just as it was landing on the branch.

Not shabby my 2x on the 300mm, eh? And oh, these are handheld BTW (well actually my left elbow was on my left knee).

Shooting distance - about 12'.


Payn - I did read your comments in the critique forum on the first image; thanks! I didn't respond to it there as I didn't want to "push it up" unnecessarily.

[Bevb]

I tried getting some shots of dragonflies the other day, and boy! these are on par with the swallows!

Once again well done Loupey, love the last image.:thumbsup:

[Old Timer]

I guess I'm just going to have to go back and live on the sports forum. You guys have got me here. I have to have them sit and pose to get it sharp. Loupey you are a real gun slinger. Nice job.

[payn817]

Great stuff Loupey! No offense meant in critique.

[paulnj]

Larry, please don't leave

Great images loupey and those weeds are duck weed BTW

[Loupey]

Paul, duck weeds - I knew it was something like that Anyway, this little 1/3 acre neighborhood pond is choked with it - even with a fountain in it.

Payn, no worries, man! I didn't take it as an offense at all Just didn't want to pull the image back up to the top if no one else was commenting.

OT, I hope your kidding! In this forum, I only mean to show examples of how pre-visualization, practice, and technique can overcome equipment (the latter of which seem to be the major concern for most folks judging by the number of questions posted in other forums).

Bev, thanks for the nice comment. I don't know though, I still can't seem to get the in-flight bird shots that I can with insects. Perhaps I now think on an insect level and haven't evolved to that of a bird brain It helps that bugs take off and land so much more frequently than birds.

[quetzal]

Pretty cool Loupey.