Filming dragonflies

[Dalantech]

I've been shooting dragonflies out at Lago d'Averno (it's a lake in the middle of a dormant volcano). There is a bike path around the lake that's both blessing and curse -the dragons like to land on and around the path, so finding them is easy. But it's not uncommon for a jogger to scare a dragon off right before I get a chance to squeeze the shutter release...

Here is some of what I've learned from shooting dragons:

1) Sometimes they get VERY territorial and they will come back to the same spot even if your scare them off. So if a dragon takes to the air just wait and see where it lands. If it sets down in almost the same spot that it left then try again to get close. If it lands away from you, and keeps taking off before you can get to it, then find another dragon to shoot...

2) It's not a bad idea to stop and take a few shots from a distance before you move in. Get the dragon use to you and your flash (if you are using one) and you might have a better chance to get close.

Here are some sample shots. Keep in mind that I do not crop my images and I do very little post processing. All photos taken with a Canon 20D + 100mm macro lens. I use a BushHawk camera mount to keep everything steady.

First up are a few Violet Darters:









Here is a mating pair of Black Tailed Skimmers:





Thanks for looking -C&C always welcome!