Skeeter Eater
by Wayne Jones
Damselflies are amazingly efficient predators considering their flight, which appears to be more aimless fluttering than the jet-like flight of dragonflies. When they are sitting on leaves, they often spring into the air for a few seconds and return to the same spot. If you look closely, you will see that the short trip was to grab an insect out of the air. In this case, our friend the damsel is munching on a mosquito.
This is a black winged-damselfly or ebony jewelwing. The metallic-colored body is particularly brilliant in the males.
This is another of my “backyard bugs.” Have not been shooting much else for a while. Sorry I have not been commenting much, either. I have been tied down for over a month with a painful case of shingles that makes shooting and even typing difficult.
Canon 50D
Sigma 150 mm. Macro
1/30 sec. @ f/11; ISO 800
Handheld
Comments
15 commentsLooks like you have a little pixelization in the iridescent part, probably from compression. I would love to see this larger! It is a great image, especially the part eating the mosquito!
Well done
Sorry you're suffering through the shingles. I've seen a couple of relatives go through it - miserable as hell, but there is a "through it." Hang tough.
You are showing a pretty cool nature scene here. The half-eaten mosquito and the brilliant damsel fly are the story. I like that there is a strong shadow of the subject. In my dream world the leaf would be a little darker, but I'm just dreaming.
Pete D.
This is so impressive .... excellent focus on the eyes :)
Love the way you captured the sheen on the insect's back.
Congrats on the EP.
Carol