Monday, April 28, 2008
Stained Glass Wings
A very fresh Common Green Darner found in my yard a few weeks ago.
Sorry I'm behind on comments -- will try to catch up over the next few days.
Permalink / posted by and copyright of Christina : 4:23 PM
Comments:
Another Oh Wow moment on opening this. This is an unusual crop for an image like this but I suppose the crop differentiates it. The wing details, the black filigree, the reflections and highlights fit the title and are very beautiful. The eyes are also very 3D.
If we didn't live in it, could anyone believe that one world could contain both this and the Mudvac Base?
What were you saying was wrong with your eye?!
I like Matt's remark but if one takes it forward, the technology on display here is ever more an inspiration to scientists and engineers: for instance, the eyes have now been analysed and shown to be hugely effective in reducing glare (lens designers take note!) and just think of that wing material.
But I digress from the photo, which really brings out the awe-inspiring forms in nature. Send a memo to Mudvac!
I did wonder if 'Darner' was a typo for 'Darter' but Wikipedia tells me that Darner is a synonym for Hawker. I get both Common Darters and Common Hawkers in the Glen, as well as Damselflys and Dragonflys. All wondrous creatures.
I have tried to take this photo. I can't. I am in awe.
I don't know how much choice you had over framing and camera positioning, but the slightly off-centre image you present here works well. It makes the photo a bit less specimen and a bit more habitat.
Thanks as always for your comments.
Colin -- although this dragonfly was not in a particularly good place (down quite low in the hedge) and had less than stellar light on it, being so fresh, it was not going anywhere, which made it irresistible to me. I spent a couple of hours with it -- taking probably 40 to 50 images, trying various framing and positions, as well as settings, reflectors, a diffuser, whatever I could think of -- I even held a polarizer over my lens for a few. Out of all those images, I processed only two, of which I liked this one the best.
Beautiful and no need for a full specimen to make this work. The hard work to get the shot has certainly paid off.
Well I've never had a couple of hours to work on a living insect, but I do sometimes get fifteen minutes with these. And I've still bungled the opportunity.
What happens is that our climate (west Highlands) is marginal and they are sometimes flying in less than best conditions. On a coolish day they will ground when the sun gets obscured and stay down for quite some time. Usually until the sun hits them again. I can't tell whether they don't mind me getting close, or whether they just don't have the energy to flee.
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I like Matt's remark but if one takes it forward, the technology on display here is ever more an inspiration to scientists and engineers: for instance, the eyes have now been analysed and shown to be hugely effective in reducing glare (lens designers take note!) and just think of that wing material.
But I digress from the photo, which really brings out the awe-inspiring forms in nature. Send a memo to Mudvac!
I have tried to take this photo. I can't. I am in awe.
I don't know how much choice you had over framing and camera positioning, but the slightly off-centre image you present here works well. It makes the photo a bit less specimen and a bit more habitat.
Colin -- although this dragonfly was not in a particularly good place (down quite low in the hedge) and had less than stellar light on it, being so fresh, it was not going anywhere, which made it irresistible to me. I spent a couple of hours with it -- taking probably 40 to 50 images, trying various framing and positions, as well as settings, reflectors, a diffuser, whatever I could think of -- I even held a polarizer over my lens for a few. Out of all those images, I processed only two, of which I liked this one the best.
What happens is that our climate (west Highlands) is marginal and they are sometimes flying in less than best conditions. On a coolish day they will ground when the sun gets obscured and stay down for quite some time. Usually until the sun hits them again. I can't tell whether they don't mind me getting close, or whether they just don't have the energy to flee.