Violet darter (dragonfly)

[Dalantech]

I went to the lake today to see what was moving as was pleasantly surprised to find a few violet darters perching on anything other than the ground -normally they aren't in the plants until July or August. I found this one perching on a fallen branch in a peach orchard. Notice the bokeh -one of the benefits of shooting with a 500D diopter. The grass was only a few centimeters away but there's little detail in it.

All Canon gear: Xti (shutter priority 1/200, ISO 200) + 100mm macro lens + 500D diopter. MR-14 EX ring flash set to a 4:1 ratio and -2 FEC.



I backed off and put all of my tubes on the rig and moved back in for a shot at 3x. I wanted a side shot, but he wasn't having any part of it

All Canon gear: Xti (manual mode F16, 1/200, ISO 200) + 62mm of extension tubes + 100mm macro lens + 500D diopter. MR-14 EX ring flash set to a 4:1 ratio and -1/3 FEC. To give you some idea of scale: This next shot is only 8mm wide.

[bob_r]

Dalantech,

Those are great! We've had a few bees around lately, but I still haven't broken out the macro gear. Your shots may be just what I need to entice me to get out the macro equipment. The kids finished all their school activities for a few weeks, so I'll see if I can find some time.

Bob R

[Dalantech]

Dalantech,

Those are great! We've had a few bees around lately, but I still haven't broken out the macro gear. Your shots may be just what I need to entice me to get out the macro equipment. The kids finished all their school activities for a few weeks, so I'll see if I can find some time.

Bob R

Funny you should mention bees -that's what the dragons where hunting. If you look at the mug shot closely you'll see pollen on the whiskers close it its mouth

I was shooting bees in flight a week or two ago -I'll have to post some shots to really get you goin'

[Harold]

It is crazy all the colors those guys come in.
I like the close up eye shots.

[Dalantech]

It is crazy all the colors those guys come in.
I like the close up eye shots.

Thanks Harold!