Baskettail dragonfly

[Steve Maxson]

This newly emerged Baskettail dragonfly (Epitheca sp.) was photographed last June. The wings are still expanding and are very shiny at this stage. 1D-IV, 100 mm macro, 1/160, f/16, ISO 100, lightbox studio, 2 radio-triggered 430 EXII flashes, tripod, live-view manual focus. The background is a print of OOF vegetation. I reduced saturation of the background. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

[MiroslavMaric]

Well done setup. Like the composition and sharp details. Well balanced color tone of BG and dragonfly. Would like to remove flecks in BG at the right side of photo. TFS.

Cheers,
Miro

[David Cowling]

Lovely pose, nice and sharp, great background and the added bonus of another insect to look at,( what is it ?)

Well done.

[Steve Maxson]

Thanks for the comments Miro and David.

Miro: I see what you mean about the background. That should be easy to correct. :S3:

David: The other insect is simply the empty nymph exoskeleton from which the dragonfly has just emerged. :S3:

[Don Railton]

Beautiful Steve..

[Diane Miller]

Just gorgeous -- the detail is subtle but amazingly sharp! (Does that make any sense??) Amazing how they emerge from those shells!

[Ron Conlon]

This is such a great composition. I like that the upper left is a little brighter, as if the sun is in that corner.

[David Cowling]

Thanks for the comments Miro and David.

Miro: I see what you mean about the background. That should be easy to correct. :S3:

David: The other insect is simply the empty nymph exoskeleton from which the dragonfly has just emerged. :S3:
That makes it even more unique. On a couple of occasions I have cought the dragonfly in a similar situation but have never seen the discarded exoskeleton. Perhaps I should investigate further next time.

David

[John Robinson]

Suprb tonal texture to this one Steve Really nice.
JohnR

[Norm Dulak]

Beautiful image, much appreciated.

Norm

[Steve Maxson]

Thanks for your comments everyone! :S3:

[Bob Smith]

The colour in this really grabs the eye and the wateriness of the wings is almost mesmerizing.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Dragonfly and exuvia spot on. The background - not too happy sorry to say it looks very eye catching I keep wandering off the subject. I wonder if it was a little less bright, the colour doesan't look quite natural to me.

[Steve Maxson]

Thanks for the comments Bob and Jon!