Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly

This first shot taken last summer, the male defending his territory over our pond.







These three of the nymph stage today, in my small home-made aquarium.
(All returned to the pond afterwards, unharmed).

All K5, 100mm D FA Macro, AF240FT off-camera flash.



















They live in the mud in the bottom of the pond, so they're a little messy, I'm afraid!

Thanks for looking & any C&C welcome.

Great pics, especially number 1

Nicely done. Cant wait to point my k-3 at some adult dragonflies.

Good to see someone else trying the pond creature stuff, dust/dirt in the water is often a problem

Number 1 is great, a very beautiful image, whilst the others are very interesting and skilfully done, but not as attractive as images.

I too can't wait to try some Dragonflies with the K-3, it should excel with that type of shot.

Regards
David

......the continuing story!




Recently emerged female Broad bodied Chaser, its wings still drying.
Also, I can't find any reference to their being hairy when first emerged.....




When first emerged, the wings are very shiny!




This is its exuvia, the dried-up case of the larva, which crawled out of the pond & onto a nearby chain-link fence(!) to burst out of the back of the exuvia & wait until its legs had hardened-off, then its wings to dry.



First two, K5, 150-500.

Third, K5, 100mm D FA Macro, daylight, mirror up, Remote F.

All, Elements 11.


Thanks for looking!


Roger.

That first one is fabulous! Do you mind me asking, but what shutter speed is needed to freeze the wings ? I know there was flash as well, but its so crisp I'd have assumed it needed HSS at quite a fast speed?

Thanks, Greg.

Only the three of the nymph in the little aquarium were taken with flash.

The adult shots were all daylight, with wings at rest.

I'll have a dig around & get some exposure info for you later.

Roger.

Exposure info. as promised:

1).
1/320, f8, ISO400.

2),3) &4).
1/180, f18, ISO 200 (Flash).

5).
1/800, f7.1, ISO800.

6).
1/1000, f9, ISO800.

7).
1/3, f18, ISO200.

All, Elements 11.


Thanks for the comments & interest shown,

Roger.