Dragons Galore
“It is the little creatures that make the world go round.”
Dave Goulson
BIT OF BLUE
It seems it really “bugs” most of us that there is no more Weekly Photo Challenge, so this week I’ve decided to feature one of the most interesting bugs of all – the delicately-winged dragonfly. A good friend here on Kiawah is a bit obsessed with these little creatures so after our last photography outing we decided to stop at one of the more heavily-populated marsh spots to see what we could find.
HANGIN’ ON
“The transparency of dragonfly’s wings assures me of a pure, innocent world”
Munia Kahn
Happily, there were dragonflies aplenty. Blue, green, yellow… you name it, we saw it. Their little heads seemed to me as if they were enclosed in a protective helmet shaped much like that of an NFL pro. They’re difficult to shoot because they don’t sit still for long and their travels are never in a straight line. Further, they flutter rather erratically as they fly, making them difficult to follow. But shoot them we did, rising to the challenge as best we could.
LEAF ME ALONE
“Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and we can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.”
Robyn Nola
I ran into an issue with my Fuji as we were shooting – for some reason the camera was putting a very dark vignette around every photo. I was very unhappy and interrupted my shooting to google the problem. Sure enough, I was able to find that the issue was not uncommon – for some reason the camera had slipped into “toy camera” mode, which once identified was easily fixed. The camera had also recorded the raw file, so all was not lost. The internet of everything strikes again thank goodness 😊.
LIVING ON THE EDGE
“I love to see the sunshine on the wings of the Dragonflies… there is magic in it.”
Ama H. Vanniarachchy
Incredibly, dragonflies (and their female companions, damselflies) can move at 45 miles-per-hour and can hover, fly up or down, fly backward or forward in either direction and mate in mid-air. They can see 360 degrees around themselves and use 80% of their brain power for sight. In most parts of the world they are symbolic of change and maturity, and to be touched by one is considered a sign of good fortune.
GOING GREEN
“I am a dragonfly, rising on the wings of unlocked dreams on the verge of magical things.”
Aimee Stewart
According to Smithsonian.com, dragonflies have been with us some 300 million years and fossils of their ancient ancestors had wingspans up to 2 feet long. There are more than 5,000 known species including the Globe Skinner, which has the longest migration of any insect – 11,000 miles back and forth across the Indian Ocean.
One of the things I enjoy about photography, and especially as it relates to blogging, is that it pushes me to learn things I would otherwise never know. Such was the case this week as I studied this seemingly simple, yet actually incredibly complex and capable insect. Hopefully you’ve found it as interesting as I did!
And thank you for informing me of things not known about these brainy lookers. They their flying skills they are already qualified pilots and can take over the world should they discover drones.
Always my pleasure Abrie! Actually I think the drones could learn from them!!!
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Hi Tina sometimes in life you must accept failures and some failures can’t be fixed. This comment is a fail. I meant something different than what the words said but to explain will take post full of words. Moving on swiftly… I have posted my first independent ( 🙂 ) , photo post about the moon and skewed views Hasn’t found a new “challenge home” yet.
I will check it out immediately. Most importantly tho, there is a new challenge beginning next week. Watch my blog 😊
Will do Tina oh my Tina
Wow! Impressive shots!
Thanks Ann Marie
Ahh I snapped a green one at the weekend!
Excellent!!
Wonderful pictures. And great details on the wings.
Thanks Rabirius!
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Interesting dragonfly info and stunning images, Tina. Such a challenging subject and you got some beauties. Love their colors.
Thanks Jane-you know them well!
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These are absolutely phenomenal photographs, Tina!
Even more so to me because I have never successfully photographed a dragonfly. 😦
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Thanks Lisa! Slippery little devils aren’t they?!
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Thank you for all that information about these incredible little insects. damselflies??? Really??? I will have to google this one, it made me smile. I know how veery difficult they are to photograph. I often try as we get them swooping around our fish ponds, but have only ever managed to get one reasonable capture. Loved all these images Tina.
Thanks Pauline, they’re incredible indeed. Wouldn’t it be nice to have all that energy?!
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Sure would
I always loved dragon flies including Ornaments or jewelry Thanks for sending me their background Great pictures as usual. Love lee
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Hi Leatrice! My dragonfly friend loves dragonfly jewelry and clothing so you are in good company! Miss you xoxo
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Informative. You did well to capture them. I tried briefly on a recent visit to our botanic gardens. They don’t sit still!
Indeed they do not John! Thanks for stopping by.
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Great photos of these mysterious creatures.
Thanks Jane!
I don’t want to Like this Tina, I want to LOVE it!! I miss Weekly Challenges also! We must protest! Dragonflies are my Fav ❤
You’d love my friend Suzie, she adores them!!
You got some great photos, I’m glad you were able to resolve the camera problem as well.
Thanks Amy, me too! It’s was quite frustrating until I figured it out
Aren’t they incredible? Just last week we were walking through longish grass and a flash of electric blue stopped us in our tracks. We watched for ages 🙂 🙂
They’re kind of mesmerizing, don’t u think Jo? Appreciate your stopping by
Yes I do xx
What a talented photographer you are, Tina. These are fabulous shots, of probably one of the most difficult subjects there is to photograph in nature.
Thanks so much de Wets, they are frenzied little devils but eventually even they have to pause for a moment!
These photos are incredible, especially since these magical creatures rarely pose.
Thanks Patti! They are a challenge for sure but definitely worth the effort 😊
I like your little friends – handsome and colorful. 🙂
LOL thanks Judy!
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Marvelous captures of such delicate beauties.
Thanks Sally
These dragonflies are captivating, Tina. Wonderful captures. 🙂
Thanks very much WE
It’s Cathy. 😊
✔️✔️ thanks Cathy!
And…I google…
Fabulous shots, Tina! I sometimes give it a try – but they are too fast for me…I am glad to see yours instead!
😊😊thanks Ann-Christine!
Absolutely beautiful, Tina!
Thanks very much Dina!
These are fascinating! I love how I’ve see parts of the world and the people, wild life,etc. that I will never see in person. Seeing these dragonflies and learning about them was so interesting and amazing! If I promise to be VERY quiet and I am capable of being quiet, may I tag along some time?
Would love to have you ML!
Thank you very much!!!!
Beautiful dragonflies.
Thanks!
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I love dragonflies and your photos are gorgeous! I photographed an orange dragonfly in my garden last year, it’s one of my favorite photos. I’ll post it next Sunday. Hope you’ll visit!
Thanks Charlotte, will do!
Tina, Summer is definitely here when they show up. Leaf me alone a perfect capture! Are there any needle ones ( small version )? This brought pleasant thoughts when we use to catch them when we were younger. Perpetua
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Tina, These shots are awesome! And all the trivia fascinating. I’m assuming you were out with Suzie. 😊 Perhaps some day I could tag along …. and learn oodles from the two of you. What fun. K
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Thanks Kath, of course!
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I loved these, T-Bear. And I think I know who you were with. Really beautiful.
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Thanks Darvelous 😊. I think so too!
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These are stunning captures, so much details. They are challenging to photo.
Some 300 million years and 5000 known species, wow! I, too, depend on Google search. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Tina!
My pleasure Any, thanks for your visit and comment
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Can’t imagine who your good friend who is obsessed with these beautiful creatures!
LOL u know it’s our Suzie, right?!
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Interesting facts and beautiful pictures of a special insect! I also admire them and made a dragonfly one of the heroes in a children’s book I’m working on.
Great idea! Look forward to seeing it SB
Thank you, I DID learn something about these little creatures I never thought much of before, or realized how interesting they look up close..
Great-thanks for sharing that!
You teach us all friend … I have learned much thru your blogs thru the years …I will view these amazing creatures with more admiration !
Thanks Miss Linda, much appreciated
They are wonderful to see and as you point out very difficult to photograph. BTW the damselfly is not a female dragonfly they are similar but different species. As a general rule, the damselfly is slimmer, and rests with wings folded, while the stockier dragonfly keeps its wings spread outwards.
https://thedragonflywoman.com/2009/07/24/dragonvsdamselsadults/
Absolutely right Jude! Thanks for the correction
Something that I found difficult to get my head around was that they were different, but once you figure out the wings it is quite easy to tell the difference. If they perch of course! In flight is a whole different ball game 🙂
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Absolutely wonderful photos Tina.
Many thanks PS
Tina, the dragonflies are so beautiful, so delicately captured! Love the quotes that you use to accompany your images. A wonderful lesson of an amazing insect!
Thanks Terri! Glad this one caught your eye
I loved the dragonfly lesson. Thank you for sharing. Isn’t Kiawah amazing for all it’s amazing animals and insects.
Amazing indeed GF! Hope alls we’ll out there!
Love dragonflies in general, but even more so when you photograph them. That third one, “Living on the Edge,” is especially nice. Best wishes for more good bug outings!
Thanks so much – glad you enjoyed them
Absolutely fabulous images Tina!!!
I’ve seen so many beautiful Dragonflies recently but they are not easy to capture with the camera when flying all the time. 😀
Thanks Anita-they really are a bit of a challenge aren’t they?!
incredible how u captured these tiny creatures…spectacular!!! so free😜👍
Thanks April!
Dragonflies are my mother’s favorites ….fittingly…hahaha! Will share these with her.
😊😊 thanks GF!
I love these. Dragonflies to me are so interesting. My weirdest encounter was when fly past me in the middle of the desert.
Marvellous captures, Tina!
Many thanks sue!
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