July 21, 2015

Almost Wordless Damsels and Dragons

dragon 1c

dragon 2

damsel 1

dragon 1a

damsel 2

dragon 3

dragon 1b

(At the lake, enjoying my flying friends. See you next week!)

62 comments:

  1. You have managed to capture such wonderful images. I hope you are having as great a time at the lake as these damselflies & dragonflies obviously are!

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    1. Thanks, Margaret. These are from recent visits to the lake. There are sooo many dragons and damsels (and so many species) there! Someday, I'll learn to identify them all (after I learn all the plant and butterfly and bird and bee names). ;-)

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  2. So various dragonfly! Looks so interesting to be explored. Thank you for sharing

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    1. You're welcome. Yes, there are so many and so many varieties. Last time we were at the lake, 100s were hovering over the water and over the grass. They're so fun to watch. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I've returned from the hills to these captivating captures - I have always found damsels to be fleetingly camera shy. Happy days to you!

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    1. Thanks, Laura. The damsels are quick, yes, and they're difficult for my camera to focus on. I need to take my DSLR along for manual focusing one of these days.

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  4. The last one looks as if it is smiling for the camera! Great shots.

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    1. Thanks! Yes, he/she seemed to be watching me. They are so entertaining!

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  5. Awesome collection of dragonflies and damsels. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thanks, Eileen. There are so many more at the lake. I need to start a file of dragon/damsel photos.

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  6. Beautiful captures, Beth. I love when the dragons and damsels perch and fly in summer. It is like a nod that summer is really here in full force.

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    1. Thanks, Donna. I agree, and they're so captivating to watch. They're incredible fliers and hunters!

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    1. Thanks, Hollis! Checking in online here and there, but communication will be spotty for the next few days.

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  8. A lot of beautiful dragonflies "caught" the camera. The first picture is great. Greetings.

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  9. Really nice to see so many kinds, I find them very hard to catch on my camera so well done.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Hi Amanda: I find them difficult to capture, as well. Most of these photos are cropped. Fortunately, the detail is still OK. Thanks! They are so fun to watch!

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  10. What incredible photographs Beth! You are an amazing photographer! And this is a credit to your patience, that you can wait until these magnificent creatures come near enough to you to be "captured" in digital or film. (Not sure what you are using...)

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    1. Thank you, Susie. Still learning and experimenting with various cameras and settings. These were taken with my digital zoom camera, which is a great one to take to the lake. It gives me more flexibility and it isn't a terribly expensive camera, so it's great in casual situations. Some of the photos were taken down on the dock--where the dragons and damsels fly very near and dip and dive.

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  11. Fantastic photos! You must have learned how to keep from startling these guys.

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    1. Thanks! Actually, they're so prolific at the lake, and they frequently rest and pose on stalks of plants. The trick is to catch them at good angles and focus correctly on their skinny bodies. ;-)

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  12. and you convinced them you were friendly enough that they could pose for your camera. Well done!

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    1. Hi Ricki: They're fun little buddies, and there are so many of them by the lake that it's pretty easy to find some resting and posing. Thanks.

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  13. They are so beautiful...I've always got a place in my heart for the blue dragonflies...well any one actually.

    Great captures Beth.

    Jen

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    1. Thanks, Jen. Yes, they're lovely, quirky creatures. I'm amazed at how many different ones hang out by the lake.

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  14. Excellent photos of such cool creatures! I love these little guys. :o)

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    1. Thanks, Tammy. Yes, they are entertaining little buddies!

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  15. These creatures can be so difficult to capture, well done Beth.

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    1. Thanks, Angie. Still working on the "in motion" captures. But when they pose, it's a little easier. ;-)

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  16. Such gorgeous photos, Beth. I love dragons and damsels--so interesting and fun in the garden!


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    1. Thanks! Yes, I really enjoy simply watching them fly and dart and eat other bugs. They're very talented, and they can be pretty aggressive at times. But fun to watch!

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  17. Great pics! I had a damsel fly hovering near me during last night's Concert on the Square. Too bad I wasn't able to get any pics of her.

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    1. That would be a good trick: To capture one in flight. I will work on that!

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  18. Hi Beth, fascinating how many damsels and dragonflies you have in your area! Love the shot of the blue one on the blackberries. Thanks for sharing!
    Christina

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    1. Hi Christina: Yes, there are many species up by the lake, and many here in the city, actually, too. At some points during the summer, the air is thick with them. Such a welcome sight.

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  19. Hi Beth,
    We used to call the lovely thin blue bugs darning needles - always found them at the lake - favourite spot was on the tip of our fishing rods - hope you're having a delightful time cottaging!

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    1. Hi Barbara: Yes, we had a wonderful time up at the cottage with the extended family. I don't recall hearing the term "darning needles." I like that! I've had them land on my fishing pole at times, too, as well as on my hand. That is fun. :)

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  20. amazing macro photos, must be a wonderful holiday, Beth.

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    1. Thanks, Sue. These are cropped, so they're not true macros. But it's fun to see the detail, anyway. Yes, it's fun to hang out by the lake and watch their antics!

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  21. Beautiful and I love both damsels and dragonflies. My boys are fascinated with them. We always have them land on us when we are out canoeing. :-)

    Have fun on the lake!!

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    1. We had them flying around us while we were canoeing this weekend, too. And darting in every direction. I'm always amazed at the variety of species I see every time I watch for them.

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  22. When I was a child I was certain dragonflies would bite and gave them a wide berth, now they are one of my favorite insects.

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    1. Someone must have told me, early on, that they didn't bite. So I've never been concerned about them. Some of the bigger ones can be loud! But they are amazing little creatures!

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  23. Wonderful ODES... enjoy the lake Beth... Michelle

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! We had a great weekend with the family. :)

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  24. I love these images of the most charming insects! I have been seeing a lot of dragonflies this year, perhaps due to the amount of rain we have had.

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    1. Hi Deb: They seem to be prolific here, just about every year. But I think there are more of them through the midsummer this year, since we've been cooler until recently and had plenty of rain. They're always such a welcome sight!

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  25. Fabulous captures Beth....I am astounded at how many I am seeing all over the garden too!

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  26. Oh! Thanks so much for sharing these. Dragons and damsels are some of my favourite things.

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  27. Wonderful photos! I always enjoy seeing dragonflies and damselflies in my garden; they're such beautiful creatures.

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    1. Hi Rose: I see I missed some comments at the end of this post. Busy summer, but that's no excuse. I just read the other day that late summer/early fall is the busiest time for dragons and damsels. I didn't realize that. Yes, they are amazing creatures! Thanks!

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  28. Absolutely fabulous images! I love seeing these in my garden or anywhere else for that matter.

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    1. Thanks! I agree: They're such amazing acrobats and so beautiful and amazing to watch!

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  29. What fabulous photos of these bugs. They appeared to be quite aminable. Beckie and I saw the tiny blue damsel at the Idea Garden in Champagne the other evening when she took me over there. They were so small. I tried for a photo but they wouldn't let me get close enough for a good photo.

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. I know--they often elude me, too. The dragonflies are a little larger and a little easier to capture on camera. They're all amazing to watch, though, aren't they?

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