Blue-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum)

Perched on a stem at the edge of a forested area.

comments (12)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Excellent, what a beauty! Posted 6 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, Ferdy! :) It is rare that I can get close enough to shoot one of these :D I've been working on my approach technique! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Nice! In my experience, dragonflies basically always see you coming. Somehow they seem more tolerant to be approached from the front, not sure why. Other (obvious) tactics are to not break their light, approach slowly, and don't disturb surrounding vegetation, but I guess that advise applies to pretty much all insects.
    
    I think the biggest factor in success/failure is their state at the moment. They're much more tolerant to approach when they're heating up, feeding on prey, etc compared to when they are fully active and hunting. Maximum odds are therefore in the very early morning when they cant move even if they want to, but I'm not a morning person :) Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      It was late morning when I took this photograph. This individual flew across the dirt path once but just landed conveniently on another branch/twig.
      
      Other pro-tip: Be willing to get down in the mud (and be covered in mosquitoes) to get a photograph. :P Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        In this case early morning would mean at start of sunrise, they are too cold to move then, but also harder to find. Plus you may get some dew drops as a bonus :) Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        For me, early morning is anything before 9am. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I'd say anything before noon. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        That would be ideal! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        You guys are slackers! ;) Haha!
        
        I used to be a night owl (in my teens, twenties, and when Jason was on 3rd shift), but I have become quite the morning person as I have gotten older. I like to be up right at dawn (and even earlier when it is moth season)! I am in bed pretty early though :P I MUST be getting old! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        I'm the opposite! Now I stay up late and sleep in late. BUT, before I had kids, I was the opposite - I used to love getting up early to enjoy the peace and quiet. Kids wake up early though - especially if you make any noise at all. So, late at night is the only quiet time I get :-D. Posted 6 years ago
    3. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I struggle to photograph dragonflies and am in awe of the amazing shots people get! One trick that I’ve learned is to first observe a dragonfly to see if they have a perch that they keep returning to. If they do, then go stand in front of that perch, get your camera ready, and don’t move. The dragonfly will get scared off initially, but it will come back - even with you standing there. This only works for the dragonflies that seriously love their perch, which is more than you might expect. Posted 6 years ago
    4. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Excellent, forgot to mention this one, and its probably the most valuable tip. They are indeed quite steady in returning to their favorite hunting launch pad. Posted 6 years ago