Dragonflies in flight
Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau
Dragonflies in flight
I've been having a go at some dragonflies in flight this year. Here's a couple. One side on and one banking towards the photographer. Which one do people prefer ?.
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Re: Dragonflies in flight
I like both. Each image serves a purpose on its own. So, I am neutral.
Re: Dragonflies in flight
Incredibly hard, unless you have a wind tunnel or a known repeated perch. How did you do these?
Re: Dragonflies in flight
Yes, well done for Dragons in flight. I had some fun with them this summer but the "in flight" images were limited to screen shots of video and were only identifiable by approximation to known local species.
I believe yours is a male Southern Hawker Dragonfly (Aeshna cyanea).
Dragons have remarkable control of their wings so any orientation is great. I imagine a rapid sequence could offer interesting revelations. Both or your images are superb.
I believe yours is a male Southern Hawker Dragonfly (Aeshna cyanea).
Dragons have remarkable control of their wings so any orientation is great. I imagine a rapid sequence could offer interesting revelations. Both or your images are superb.
Re: Dragonflies in flight
Hi. The pictures were taken using an EOS R6 and a Sigma 150-600mm lens. I waited by a pond where the dragonfly was hawking and whenever it hovered for a few seconds manually focussed and then let the animal eye autofocus take over for a burst of shots. You still get a lot of misses and insects with the wings in awkward positions, but with patience you will get some good ones.
Re: Dragonflies in flight
Thanks for the information, that sounds quite difficult.
- MarkSturtevant
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Re: Dragonflies in flight
Very well done. I understand the eye tracking feature (when it works on insects) is a bit of a game changer for this sort of thing. I would love to try it one day.
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters
Dept. of Still Waters
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Re: Dragonflies in flight
Those are some marvelous insects and these are some really good shots! Sort of reminds me of a V-22 Osprey. I read or seen somewhere that these things can fly at approx. 45 mph and make a 90º turn while doing it and that all four wings can move in different directions at the same time in flight.