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Close-up of dragonfly head
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Close-up of dragonfly head

by Kai Hui

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted June 14, 20042,201 views14 comments
It is the same Eastern Pondhawk
I posted two days ago and he was perching on the same place.

300D+180mm macro, f14, 1/200 sec, flash, handheld.

Couple of more close ups at:
http://www.pbase.com/image/29843210
http://www.pbase.com/image/29843214

Thanks for looking,

Comments

14 comments
Comment posted by Mike Kovacs on June 14, 2004 at 2:30 PM
Great colours and the focus on the eyes is right on the money. I think I like it better with about half of the perch cropped off to get rid of those highlights.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 66 Posts, 158 Comments
Comment posted by Terri Norris on June 14, 2004 at 7:41 PM
Super close-up of the green fellow, Kai! No nits from me. :smile:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 395 Posts, 2402 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Harrison on June 15, 2004 at 6:25 AM
Excellent job with getting good detail in the face and eyes. I would crop some of the hot areas also.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments
Comment posted by Maureen McKovich on June 15, 2004 at 11:45 AM
I am still curious about the ID on this critter. Are you in North America? I don't see a "Green Clearwing" in any of my references. Can you help me out with a scientific name?

Terrific shot! Thanks!
Registered on November 9, 2003, 221 Posts, 1628 Comments
Comment posted by Kai Hui on June 16, 2004 at 2:31 AM
Maureen,
I could be wrong since I just started macro photographing.

I just bought a National Audubn Society Field Guides to Insets & Spiders. Only "Green Clearwing" in the book looks like this guy. Maybe it has other names that I don't know.

I live in Viginia.

Kai
Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments
Comment posted by Kai Hui on June 16, 2004 at 2:33 AM
BTW, Maureen, I see this species very often in VA.

Kai
Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments
Comment posted by Maureen McKovich on June 16, 2004 at 10:24 AM
Kai - thanks for your reply. I am on a quest to learn to ID these bugs, so I can drive some folks crazy! I just asked a friend to look up the scientific name in the same reference you are using. It is Erythemis simplicicollis. In all of my references this is known commonly as an Eastern Pondhawk and the green one is the female of the species. These are very common dragons - and often allow very close approach.

As I said before, this is a very nice capture!
Registered on November 9, 2003, 221 Posts, 1628 Comments
Comment posted by Kai Hui on June 16, 2004 at 10:59 AM
Maureen,
Thanks for the correction. I will look up my book again.

Kai
Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments
Comment posted by Kai Hui on June 19, 2004 at 1:36 PM
Maureen,
I found this guy on internet. Indeed as you said, it is a Eastern Pondhawk female. Thank you very much.

I am puzzled now. Why my Audubon field giude to insects and spiders has a diffeernt name Green Clearwing, a name that can't be found in other books?
Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Bates on June 20, 2004 at 2:14 PM
Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :toast: What a shot Kai Hui!!! Excellent!!

Michael
Registered on November 1, 2003, 149 Posts, 2381 Comments
Comment posted by Danny on June 22, 2004 at 2:13 AM
Whooo hooo alright Michael me M8t. Kai, this is SUPERB !!!. Excellent sharpness, focus and DOF, the colours are gorgeous. Does macro get any better, nope :smile:

All the best Kai, congrats on the editors pick and also for one fantastic macro and job. EXCELLENT. :toast: :toast:

Danny.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments
Comment posted by Danny on June 22, 2004 at 2:15 AM
Whooo hooo alright Michael me M8t. Kai, this is SUPERB !!!. Excellent sharpness, focus and DOF, the colours are gorgeous. Does macro get any better, nope :smile:

All the best Kai, congrats on the editors pick and also for one fantastic macro and job. EXCELLENT. :toast: :toast:

Danny.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments
Comment posted by Kai Hui on June 22, 2004 at 2:18 AM
Thank you very much. This is a lot of encouragement.

I guess the best way for me to repay you guys is getting in the field and making more shots.

Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Plonsky on June 25, 2004 at 3:54 PM
Awesome closeup. I agree on cropping the bottom.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 23 Posts, 224 Comments