‹ Previous Macro & Close-up Gallery Next ›

Am. Rubyspot (f)

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 8, 2014258 views10 comments

I believe that this is the female of the American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) rather than an immature male. While waiting to catch a sunset along the Potomac, I happened to find where these DF's like to roost. There were at least 50 of them sitting on plants in a roughly 3 foot square by one foot high area. Since I didn't want to spook them by pushing my tripod into the plants, this was taken hand held hoping that turning on the stabilization and using a high iso would let me get sharp images. Positioning challenges like staying out of the river kept me from getting the camera completely parallel to her body. (5D3, 100mm macro IS, 1/60s, f/5, iso 800, full frame)

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on September 8, 2014 at 2:12 PM

Here's a look at a fraction of the congregation. I count 15 dfs in this one small section, note how all the tails are up in the air. This is some kind of signal to the one trying to land, saying go somewhere else.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on September 8, 2014 at 4:30 PM

Very nice subject and perfect shot. I like the colours and the BG a lot.

Congrats.
D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on September 8, 2014 at 7:52 PM

Hi Mark,

Nicely focused and ideal lighting for that color. The tip of the tail is softer than the rest of the df. I have a similar shot and its like they push the abdomen tip toward the photographer

. The head end and wings are sharp

.............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Swathiraj G on September 8, 2014 at 9:20 PM

Hi Mark, Beautiful colour and sharpness. I was just thinking if the leaf start from the left down corner then the tale points to the upper left corner. So many damsels together, I was searching for damsels last few months and very difficult to find one here.

Registered on April 26, 2014, 71 Posts, 153 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on September 8, 2014 at 9:23 PM

Beautiful subject, Mark, and one I don't recall seeing here before. Superb detail and colors.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on September 9, 2014 at 3:11 AM

Mark ..thats a beautiful image of the demsel. As you say ..its always a challenge to get parallel. The colors have come out very well ..and nice and tack sharp. Lucky you to find so many of them in a small area...

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 9, 2014 at 10:21 AM

Sharp where it counts, beautifully rendered colors Mark!
Great job adapting to circumstances & shooting HH @ 1/60th, well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Tate on September 9, 2014 at 6:13 PM

Beautiful colors, nice light, and great background.. Well done Mark

Registered on December 11, 2004, 150 Posts, 1667 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on September 9, 2014 at 10:26 PM

Hi Mark

A beautiful capture

Marvelous color and fine detail

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on September 9, 2014 at 10:46 PM

Mark, Beautiful colors and good sharpness for 1/60s handheld. Gorgeous specimen and presentation. I’m glad that you posted an image of the congregation. It is impressive and interesting. I like the red patch on the wings.

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments