During the past few years of photographing and studying dragonflies and damselflies, you start to build up a picture of what species are very approachable, quite approachable, approachable with care and you don't really stand a chance. For me and others I have spoken to, the Brown Hawker falls into the latter category. I have normally always found this species hard to approach and photograph. My normal experience with them is a buzzing of wings exploding from the grasses, reeds etc ahead as they see you before you get a chance to see them. When you do see them land, there brown colour can mean you are looking at them without even registering them before they take flight again. My only real shots of any quality I have of this species have seen me stalking ninja style through grasses on my chest to achieve my goals. I am told that my best chances of approaching for a decent shot are when the female is occupied during egg laying at the waters edge but up and till now, I am still waiting for this chance. Having waited for me chance during this season, I thought that it may be another blank year for shots until last weekend when I encountered a couple of Brown Hawkers during a sunny/cloudy spell. Even then, they only landed a few metres away on the far side of the stream at Nethergong which resulted in my using the Canon f4 300mm lens and 1.4 converter.
Brown Hawker (male)
Although this got me much nearer, Its most definitely not my chosen way to photograph this species. My brief second encounter was at least a bit sunnier and I was able to use the Canon f4 300mm lens to achieve a few shots.
Brown Hawker (male)
As well as the adults, this species generally continues to elude me as I have only photographed the nymph once and I still need to find and collect a Brown Hawker exuviae despite looking for one on a good number of occasions. Despite their almost impossible willingness to land for me and in flight I normally always give up as they are a tough species to photograph, I still enjoy the challenge every year and already look forward to my next encounter....... Whenever that will be!
Beautiful Brown Hawker shots, you are truly Dragonflies Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. Much appreciated.
Deletethey know you need a challenge. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed. Every year they seem up for it. I suppose if it was too easy there would be nothing else to photograph, it would all be done.
DeleteHi Marc. I think that I'm possibly a bit luckier than you with this species - although you wouldn't think so from my photographic results! Most of my photos are of the females ovipositing, but I have managed to find both females and males of the species roosting on a few occasions. It's usually happened when one's seen me before I've seen it (as you have found!) but then I've stood still for half an hour or so and it's come back. We possibly get more of these up here than you do down there. It's unusual for me to go out dragon hunting during their flight season and not see them.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. Best wishes - - - Richard
You certainly sound like you have more luck than I do with this species. Would love to photograph a close compositing female. My chance will come at some point.
DeletePatience is its own reward Marc. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Mike. I find this species really does test that indeed.
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