Summer = Dragonflies!

[Loupey]

Well it's not quite summer... but dragonfly season is ON!

[chocolic]

I cant look at the other bug threads.. but dragonflies I can handle. These are really awesome!!

[paulnj]

Very nice!!!!!!

[CaraRose]

Just awesome

[SARtech]

AWESOME!!
OK... I want DETAILS! Don't know if I told you or not, but Dragonflies are my favorite creatures. Can you give me a couple tips for in flight captures? I'm having trouble.

[Loupey]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

AWESOME!!
OK... I want DETAILS! Don't know if I told you or not, but Dragonflies are my favorite creatures. Can you give me a couple tips for in flight captures? I'm having trouble.

OK (deep breath), here goes:


Your species selection plays a big part as different species have completely different flight characteristics. For free-flight images, I have the best results with the large green/blue variety shown or the big black/dark type shown below. For images of dragonflies making a landing (with legs down), I use different species.

For the free-flight variety:

1) Find a shoreline where you can find a few buzzing around. Not too many as they will end up chasing each other around too much.

2) Watch their territorial flight paths for a while. You will begin to see a pattern to their flight.

3) Sit along the flight path to correspond to your desired shooting distance, lighting angle, and background. With my 300mm, I’ll position myself about 5’~6’ away. For my 500mm, I’ll position myself about 10’~12’ away (using extension tubes to keep the focus close).

4) They fly in a zig-zag pattern with very short breaks before they change directions. Your job is to anticipate where the break will occur and try to find them in your viewfinder in time.

5) Focus manually when you spot an OOF dragonfly – no time to compose, just get it in focus within the confines of the viewfinder. I usually start shooting as I’m just about to reach the focus as they often dart out of the viewfinder just as the focus reaches them.

It can take a long time, especially if other species are present, so be patient. Using a zoom is easier as you can keep it wide while tracking them (and adjusting the focus coarsely) and quickly zooming the moment the dragonfly stops to make the final fine focus adjustment. Obviously simultaneous zooming and focusing is easier done on a push-pull type of zoom.

Good luck!

[SARtech]

Thanks! I'll give it a shot.

[Loupey]

Another one. This pair in take-off mode - a lot easier than free-flight.

[SARtech]

Nice! Green Darners I believe.

[Loupey]

Another one from yesterday. My favorite medium sized species which perches more than it flies around. Returns to same spot so it is easy to catch it on a landing approach.

Anyway, the horse or deer fly was laying a foam egg nest.

[AmberC]

These are awesome Loupey!! :thumbsup:

[SARtech]

Very nice. Hey Loupey, on your outings to shoot Dragonflies, have you ever helped one out of a spiders web? I've done it twice. I know you're not supposed to fool with nature, but I just can't help myself.

[Loupey]

AmberC and SARtech - thanks for looking.

SARtech - no I never help nor hinder anything I come across (unless it is under distress by unnatural - i.e. human - causes).


Another recent dragonfly shot: