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Long Skimmer


Long Skimmer
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2285 W: 5 N: 5300] (18714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-12-29
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 15x Optical zoom, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2012-12-22 8:11
Viewed: 3509
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Long Skimmer / Orthetrum trinacria

An image from my 2008 archives, which I want to share with you today, is the one of this beautiful dragonfly called The Long Skimmer. I took this image in the same year I "discovered" how to work with a camera and at that time I just could not get enough of photography, capturing anything I saw. At that time my family wanted to disappear under the bed whenever they heard that I wanted one of them to accompany me on a photographic outing. Unfortunately, it is not safe for a female, wondering alone in the woods or the bush or even by the sea. I am sure they thought I was going cuckoos because the 1st few months I couldn't do anything else than to walk around with my camera looking for something or anything to capture.

This image was taken close to the Thulasihleka Pan near Richardsbay. I was seated in the car and the image was taken through the open window. The Skimmer was making a meal of a Damselfly and one can clearly see that it is only the abdominal tail-piece that is still left over.

Description
The average size is ± 52mm. Adults are large and have a blue-black colour. The abdomen is long, ± 37cm and the hindwing is shorter ± 34mm. The lower forehead has black and grey markings. The cross veins below the leading edge of he wing are yellow and there is often amber colouring at the wing base. Adult females look similar to males, but immatures of both sexes are creamy, with dark markings on the thorax and abdomen, as in most skimmers.

Habitat and habits
This species occurs in bush near large pools or rivers, often in arid regions. Behaves and moves like a member of the large and primitive Gomphid family, flying low and strongly, and settling often, but is extremely alert.

Distribution
This dragonfly is common throughout eastern South Africa, north to Mozambique and Zimbabwe, across northern Botswana and into Namibia. A few records have come from the dry areas to the west. Occurs in lightly wooded areas of Africa, the Mediterranean and Iraq.

Taken from the booklet: Sasol First Field Guide to Dragonflies of Southern Africa – Published by Struik Publishers.

I hope you enjoyed looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
PeterZ, maaciejka, drchoneydew, CeltickRanger, josediogo1958, KOMSIS, Chiza has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To tinoValen2oo7: Hallo TinoMiss_Piggy 1 12-30 01:49
To josediogo1958: Thanks a lotMiss_Piggy 1 12-24 09:25
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Anna,
An excellent capture with such beautiful colors, details & sharpness. Great composition & POV. Very nicely done & presented. Great work & TFS. Best wishes!

Umar

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2012-12-22 8:34]

Hello Anna,
What a splendid colours has this dragonfly. And you photographed it in perfect sharpness and details. The diagonal composition is very attractive from this POV.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Anna,
nice photo. Perfect presentation of this dragonfly. Incredible and natural colours. Great composition.
Have a nice weekend,
Maciek

Hello Anna
What a brilliantly coloured dragonfly!
Nicely focused on the dragonfly, excellent detail.
regards yiannis

Ciao Anna, great macro of fantastic dragonfly, fine details, splendid sharpness and wonderful metallic colors, very well done, my friend, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 415 W: 11 N: 843] (3947)
  • [2012-12-22 12:01]

Merhaba Anna!
Mavi rengin gözalıcı tonlarıyla enfes bir Yusufçuk fotoğrafı bu. Transparan kanatları sayesinde, kanatların ardındaki detaylar muhteşem görünüyor. Tebrikler.

Hüseyin

OH WOW..yes yes...get in those archives of yours woman!! LOVE THIS!! SPECTACULAR..my favorite today i think!! :0)

Hi Anna
What a beautiful dragonfly. We have lots of dragonflies in Canada but nothing like a Long Skimmer. This is an amazing shot, the detail in the wings and the DOF is wild. TFS Colin

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2012-12-22 15:42]

Hi Anna,this is one of the most beautiful dragonfly,this blue is really magnificent! Great capture whit the best exposure and perfect details from the eyes to the end of tail.Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • IronM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 144 W: 3 N: 345] (2608)
  • [2012-12-22 16:43]

Hi Anna,
beautiful photo of this lovely dragonfly, amazing details & wonderful colors !
Thanks!
Best regards !

Hello Anna

Great macro of this insect with fine POV,
the way diagonally it is framed on the image
it adds dynamism to the photo, great focus,
sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2012-12-23 12:54]

Hello Anna,
I have never seen a dragonfly of such deep blue coloration such as this one has. It is a real beauty and shown in wonderful detail and good DOF.
Your discription of your early actions reminds me alot of myself when first joining the TN family, I couldn't go anywhere without my camera. My family also thought I had gone off of the deep end:)
"Merry christmas"
Ron

Hello Anna,
great capture of this Dragonfly with good sharpness and fantastic blue colours.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Helmut

Hello Anna
Beautiful photo with good composition and impressive sharpness. The blue colour is fantastic! Interesting species too.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Christodoulos

seeing this picture my mind is going to summer, such beautiful dragon fly exemplar here in Germany I can not find, congratulations for the picture Anne and I wish you to have a wonderful Christmas time,

ciao, tino

an excellent picture Anna,
top class clarity and colour.
good composition.
best wishes,

Hello Anna,
Beautiful capture with sharp details and nice colour.
Wish you Merry Christmas,
With regards,
Joy

Hello Anna
You are my favorite critic.The same way that You are one of the stronger note writer I know.This is a fantastic macro my dear.Even if the bg can be a bit distracting,the colours and the sharpness are amazing.Thank You.
Wish You and Your Family a wonderful Happy Christmas and a fantastic 2013.
Kind regards
J.Diogo

Hi Anna,
Nice POV & good picture
Merry Chritmas to you, cheers
Ferran

splendid blue skimmer,Anna
Merry Christmas to you and Loot
sERGIO

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2012-12-24 11:38]

Hallo Anna,
Fine work ..
Nice photo of this Dragonfly. Amazing colours. Great sharpness and details.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

  • Great 
  • Chiza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 133 W: 0 N: 474] (5351)
  • [2012-12-24 11:48]

Hola Anna, hermoso macro de este bello insecto, me gusta mucho el color y el detalle de las alas...Merry Christmas to You and Your Family...

Hi Anna,
beautiful photo of this lovely dragonfly. DOF stellar.
Happy new year.
Robert

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