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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> CSLR Challenge 85: Found Repetition (hosted by Bruce Jones) >> Eligible Gallery > Azure Damselfly
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16-JAN-2007 Melbob

Azure Damselfly

Werribee Rose Garden

Another test of one's patience.
Tracked this little critter for some time and waited where I thought it would land and it did?
I think the repetitive pattern of its body qualifies this image to be on-topic?
I think this is a male, see the loop at the end of its tail... used to capture the female whan mating. (Biological lesson as a bonus!!)


other sizes: small medium original auto
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Bob AYTON19-Jan-2007 12:59
Thanks Victor, that is very good advice and I appreciate it very much. I did have to crop this a little because of the minimal FD of the lens prevented me from getting closer. I liked the grass seed/fruit that it had latched onto and did notice that when I moved it took off and then came back to this area. There were blades of grass and stubble in the way and I couldn't avoid some of them as distractors so I had to settle for this crop to avoid them.

I used manual focus and lay there for some time hoping it would come back and it did as you explained. I like using Av mode to control DOF and the wind was blowing in gusts so it was a balancing act to get sufficient shutter speed to get a crisp shot.

I am really impressed by the effort and thought you put into your captures Victor, you have made me think a lot more carefully bafore pressing the shutter. Thanks for taking the time to offer your knowledge and experience, it really does help. ~ Regards Bob
Canon DSLR Challenge18-Jan-2007 23:17
There's a more subtle repetition in this picture that I like even better: the fruit of the grass has a repeated green pattern with muted blue. The damselfly has a repeated blue pattern with muted green.

You've stumbled upon a tried and true odonata photography technique. Congratulations. You may also notice that these creatures tend to take off at a consistent angle. That is useful to know if you intend to capture one.

As I child, I used to catch damselflies regularly by approaching them and pinching their wings between my fingers. I'd then set it on my finger (they will grab anything that touches their feet if you have them by the wings) and then let go. Sometimes they'd stay for a while before leaving.
-- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge17-Jan-2007 15:11
Thanks Nico... I suppose the real test is to capture a clean shot of one in flight, I did try but my reflexes seemed not up to the task?... We shall not give up though! Regards Bob.
jnconradie17-Jan-2007 05:00
I know exactly what you mean! I have never, ever, ever been able to get a good crisp shot of these guys. Compliments! Regards ~jnconradie
Canon DSLR Challenge16-Jan-2007 22:54
Thank you Julie and Alexeig.. I have had a few prior attempts at capturing one of these formula 1 creatures without success. ~ Regards Bob.
alexeig16-Jan-2007 17:20
Beautiful macro
Julie Bird16-Jan-2007 10:42
Perfectly on topic in my view. And so beautifully in focus.