White-faced Darter

A teneral White-faced male on Bell Heather from the other day.

Very nicely marked I think and very photogenic like the females - nothing like the psychotic mature males that get very dull and scruffy-looking after a few days of beating the cr*p out of each other - they just don't photograph very well at all unless they are in sunlight; then their bodies look great but the wings look horrible - you can't win!!

I'm not too happy with the closest wing in this image as it's just not 100% sharp along its entire length, but I thought it looked rather "groovy" overall - yep, the BG really was that colour

I must try harder next time - then Danny can call me something worse than "Git"

D2Xs
180mm macro
ISO 100
1/5th @ f11

PP CaptureNX and CS3

Thanks for looking folks

If anyone is wondering what the white filaments are well it's windblown cotton sedge - the bloomin stuff sticks to everything.

To me this is a great shot (my standard is obviously not as high as some's ). I also love the pastel pink of the flowers. Is this full frame? Would like to see it with some of the flowers.

Yes Des it's full frame - I did some pulled back a bit to get the drooping bell in the shot but compressed down to web-size the subject looks messy as it's a bit too small in the frame.

Thanks

AH! Mr Astbury a goodly shot an d no mistake, love it.dont find the OOF wing distracting at all .A well cool shot matey.

Looks mighty fine to me also Andy, and think you should be well pleased with this



Alan

B$%^&** Git

Danny

nice work fella! loving it

Really nice shot, such clarity is quite remarkable. Very well done indeed.

Brett

Very good, didn't even notice the wing until you mentioned it. Think your'e being a bit hard on yourself there

Stephen

Hi Andy,

A stunning shot. Bet it looks great with the full flowers showing too.

Very pleasant shot Andy on my current 18 KBS connection thanks to water in one those big johnnies you see on telephone poles. Shame I had to make a pot of tea whilst it came in !
Lovely shot though.
Just think how forty years ago publishers were running around like BAF's trying to get dragon pics !!
Cheers
jr

Excellent image Andy. The detail in the hairs on the thorax and abdomen really make it for me. I see what you are referring to about the wing, but I'd be happy with it

Dave

very nice Andy, well composed and great lighting. Sometimes the wing positions just make it impossible to make all parts sharp, but still a lovely image.

Matt

Superb - Love it.

Chas

Incredible detail-stunner

Well taken macro shots are really good to see.
This is superb. Background, sharpness and perch are all high quality

John

Superb Andy,would'nt expect anything less from you

Andy another super shot and for me the wing doesnt bother, but just an idiots question:
Why do you think that the lower trailing edge of the wing is out when you have used f11 and appear to be at right angles to your subject/ I am slightly baffled but it doesnt take much for me anyway.

Major.

Another great dragonfly shot Andy. I'd not noticed the wingtip until you mentioned it and don't see it as a problem. Suspect the ones with the full flower are amazing!