Female Common Darter.

[JohnP]

My first Dragonfly shot of this summer.

 

 

Canon EOS 60D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Sigma Ringflash, 1/160s f/16.0 at 100.0mm iso400 

[bugmeister]

What a little poser! Just the right angle for a cracking shot

[NannyFerret]

It's a lovely shot. Nice and sharp from head to toe.

After seeing all of the wonderful insect and dragon shots on here, it makes me want to try harder.

[bugmeister]

It's a lovely shot. Nice and sharp from head to toe.

After seeing all of the wonderful insect and dragon shots on here, it makes me want to try harder.

I think the big thing with the bugs is the amazing variety, and the challenge of getting that one really crisp shot (like this) that makes the day worthwhile.

[JohnP]

I think the big thing with the bugs is the amazing variety, and the challenge of getting that one really crisp shot (like this) that makes the day worthwhile.

 

Bugs... I've waited all summer to get a shot of a Dragonfly and when the opportunity finally came I just had to make sure I didn't mess up... 

[NannyFerret]

I love the detail of insects when you put them up on screen as you can see the detail more than you can with the human eye.. 

[JohnP]

I love the detail of insects when you put them up on screen as you can see the detail more than you can with the human eye.. 

 

My thoughts exactly Tina!  Take for instance Blue Damselflies, a little while ago I took lots of photos of them and I hadn't a clue what species they were until I got them on my computer in order to get a proper look. I think there are about seven species in the British Isles and I've managed to find three so far. 

[Beth]

Very nice JohnP, always impressed with these kinds of shots.  Good DoF and clarity in the wings too.

[bugmeister]

Take for instance Blue Damselflies, a little while ago I took lots of photos of them and I hadn't a clue what species they were until I got them on my computer in order to get a proper look. I think there are about seven species in the British Isles and I've managed to find three so far. 

 

Useless (maybe) information of the day

 

Blue damselflies in the UK...  (or with a mainly blue body)

 

Azure....                             Common in England, Wales, southern Scotland

Common blue                     Common across all of England, Scotland, Wales

Variable...                           Scattered populations across England and Wales

Blue tailed                          Common across all of England, Scotland, Wales

Scarce blue-tailed              Extreme S/SW England and SW Wales

Northern                             Very rare - only found in a few locations in Scotland

Southern                            Rare and only found in the south of England and SW Wales

Irish                                    Rare even in Ireland, but fairly common in Europe. Sometimes a visitor in the south

Dainty                                 Believed extinct from 1952 until 2010 when two were seen in Kent

Red eyed                           Male has a blue body and tip of tail    Southern England and the Welsh borders

Small red eyed                   Mainly south east England, recent arrival and spreading slowly

 

(and I've only seen 5 of them)

[JohnP]

I've only seen the first three as far as I know.... seen them this summer in the Forest of Dean.