Tuesday 19 August 2014

'Dew' Another Go!

With the temperature dropping down a little lower last night I hoped that it would give me another chance to make an early morning visit to a site near Reculver to see if I could improve on my first dew attempts with the damselflies a few weeks ago. I left home about 5.30am where it was good to see the grass shining already with dew and a few moments later I arrived on site. With all the equipment this morning, tripod, monopod and bean bag I made my way to an area that I have been watching for a while that had a good number of roosting damselflies and set to work finding them. I soon come across a few roosting Common Blue Damselflies and they had dew on them which was encouraging but not in an area that would be easy to photograph. I soon found a couple of Emerald Damselfly in the open roosting nicely on some small sticks and even better, they had plenty of early morning dew on them. The sun was starting to rise so I had to be quick in getting into position knowing that when the sun got on to the Emeralds, they would soon become active and dry out. There wasn't that much light around in the shade but they looked very impressive so I took a number of shots of them hoping to get a few to come out that I could use.




Female Emerald Damselfly

The tripod made it much easier today and I was able to sit back at times and just click away. The sun soon appeared and straight away the Emerald started to become active, shaking its wings and with this the droplets started to move around and collect on the tip of the abdomen, again providing a few nice photo opportunities.

Female Emerald Damselfly

It wasn't long at all until other damselflies started to appear from the grass and not long after, the Emerald Damselfly took to the skies for its first flight of the day. It was kind of nice to put the plan into action and for it to come off this morning. No doubt I shall be back for more in the next few weeks and see if I an make any improvements on today's efforts but it was quite satisfying to leave with a few nice shots in the bag.


Female Emerald Damselfly

11 comments:

  1. Amazing Macro images,love the sharp crystal clear images,your last three are my favourites.
    What make of Camera,and Lens did you use.
    I sometimes use a Trypod,or monopode,but,fall short of your excellence.
    Many thanks for the inspiration
    John..

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    1. Many thanks for your kind words John. I am currently using a Canon 50d slr and Sigma 150mm macro lens. I used this lens today but also sometimes use a Canon f4 300mm lens.

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  2. Well that worked well Marc, Stunning efforts! Must be pleased with those mate :-)

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    1. Yes pretty pleased with these efforts. Nice when a plan comes together though.

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  3. Yeh. Very nice shots Marc. Even better to get them with Emerald Damsels rather than the Blues.

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  4. This set of macro 'dewy' images are just BB....Bloody Brilliant. I'm truly impressed, and you must be delighted with these results Marc.

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    1. Thanks Bob and Pete. Yes pretty pleased with them. I'm learning all the time about this macro photography and its nice to know others are enjoying what i'm taking as much as I am taking them.

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  5. Marc.
    Wonderful pictures of the Emerald Damselfly, I think the dew makes them outstanding. I have never seen one, thanks for that. Well worth getting up and out early for.

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  6. Certainly cracked that one Marc some outstanding work with those last three. Love that one with the big puddle under the abdomen/legs. Super reflection in the water.

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  7. WOW Marc!!
    I am truly amazed at the sharpness of the pics in the shade.
    Although we have the same lens, I don't manage as well with my 150mm Sigma... Far from it!!
    You'll have to tell me what settings you use! ;-)
    I can see dragonflies have taken your heart these last months!!
    Fantastic stuff!


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