I was taking photos of that very dragonfly, very close up. It flew up in their suddenly. I though "bugger, I spooked it" when just as quickly it landed back in almost exactly the same spot.

I then noticed something drop from it's mandibles through the lens. It was the head of a fly it was eating! It had gotten peckish, seen a passing fly, jumped up, intercepted it and landed back on it's perch to devour it in the space of about 3 seconds! They are quite impressive hunters.

JUst need to know where to look. Different species have different preferences of water to breed in. Some need still ponds, others need flowing water, acidic moorland, alkali lowlands...

Time of year and weather is also very important. They don't fly unless it is dry and relatively warm.



Thanks for all the comments. I think next year's project will be collecting photos of males and females of as many species as I can. If I can get them in flight, hunting and in cop as well I'll be very pleased.

I got a couple of videos this year so I'll see if I can get some more footage next year too. Might put together a short nature 'film' of dragonflies. It has been many years since I've done any video work.

All good shots but 4 is my favourite. The gateway, track and trees frame subjects so well.

That is adorable! You have lovely dogs.

Lovely, the light at that time of day has really bright it the colours.

I should have taken pictures of the kit !

Mostly light painting brushes and accessories. Can't remember the make as it wasn't my kit. I'll ask for the details.

Cheers!

Want to try this kind of thing in an interesting setting next time.

The close ups are with the DFA100 WR and HD-DA 1.4x TC. The metadata is available on the Flickr pages for each photo. Flight photo was definitely DA*300 and HD-DA 1.4x TC.

Thanks.

Now have to find new subjects during the cold months.

Just a bit of fun in the dark!

Abstract:

033 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Spinning light:

007 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

008 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Spheres:

017 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Constellation:

030 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

I visited family down South and there was a local wildlife pond that was still attracting some Common Darters and the occasional Southern Hawker. Got some interesting shots, here are the best.

Inquisitive head tilt:

003 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Devouring prey, note the flies head.

023 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

A portrait:

025 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Pair in cop with a 2nd male trying to separate the two by biting them and stealing the female away.

027 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Southern Hawker patrolling the pond:

036 by Daniel Perlak, on Flickr

Beautiful subject, stunningly captured and processed!

PS. I'm not switching systems, just visiting a family member that shoots Olympus M43. My recent photogray with my K-5 just keeps reminding me what a good, if now somewhat old, piece of kit it is.