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Emergence

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted April 28, 2011183 views11 comments

I had a quick visit to a local site earlier this week and was lucky enough to spot a Large Red Damselfly nymph as it emerged from the water and crawled up a reed. There were so many larval cases attached to nearby reeds that I was beginning to think I'd missed them all, everything seems so early this year. I photographed the entire emergence sequence but quite like the position of the damselfly in this one.

Canon 7D with Sigma 150mm macro lens, f13, 1/100, ISO 400, tripod.

All C+C welcomed.

Matt

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Austin Thomas on April 28, 2011 at 5:27 PM

Brilliant Matt. An incredible sight, very well photographed.

Out of interest, how long does it take to fully emerge?

Cheers

Austin

Registered on March 7, 2008, 45 Posts, 207 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 28, 2011 at 5:28 PM

Matt - wonderful catch!
Nice colours, good pose, and great behaviour.
From here, the emerging 'fly (only) could use a bit more sharpening to bring him out even better.
Well done!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Cole on April 28, 2011 at 5:42 PM

thanks both. I'm always keen to avoid oversharpening images so think I often tend to undersharpen as a consequence!

Austin, the whole process from leaving the water to fully emerging from the exuvia took about an hour. I've seen them do it quicker than that though, this one kept pausing for a few minutes at a time as if it needed regain its strength.

Matt

Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Burton on April 29, 2011 at 3:44 AM

Like a xenomorph, brilliant.

Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on April 29, 2011 at 7:36 AM

I agree with Sandy that maybe a touch more sharpening would not go amiss, in all other respects a lovely shot.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Des Ong on April 29, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Nice one Matt, particularly like the soft morning light.

Registered on July 12, 2007, 23 Posts, 234 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on April 29, 2011 at 4:35 PM

Hello Matt.

A fine capture and I remember doing these last year, not easy to find but well worth it when we get pictures like this.

Registered on January 16, 2007, 450 Posts, 995 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Tilley on April 29, 2011 at 6:17 PM

Hi Matt, really lovely shot. Only seen a couple of damselflies over in Nottinghamshire so far, perhaps I'm not looking in the right place

Great shot!

Scott

Registered on January 3, 2009, 12 Posts, 108 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Smit on April 30, 2011 at 5:33 AM

Great shot of the emerging dragonfly. Alos looked at the emarging pictures on your site.
Also great pictures. Well done. I'm jaleous.
I'm trying to get a series myself until now without luck.

Registered on April 15, 2008, 15 Posts, 31 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Haskell on April 30, 2011 at 10:05 AM

Hi Matt, a very nice shot...haven't seen too many damselflies or dragons yet...maybe Ive missed them too...

Ian

Registered on October 30, 2008, 24 Posts, 673 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Ellard on May 1, 2011 at 7:54 AM

facinating insight into a hidden world ... i love your photos

Registered on December 17, 2010, 60 Posts, 634 Comments