Calico Pennant Dragonfly, male

[Allen Sparks]

Canon 40D, Sigma 150mm macro, Tamron Pro 1.4 teleconverter
ISO 400, 1/200, f14

This was one of my target species to photograph last summer. I love the red hearts on the abdomen and the wing pattern. They usually perch low in the grass which makes getting a smooth background difficult. This was my best shot. I still didn't quite manage to get the tail tip real sharp (maybe next year!).

[Mike Moats]

Hey Allen, good details on the D-fly, BG looks fine. Only suggestions would be a little more diagonal tilt on the body. Well done.

[Julie Kenward]

I was thinking the exact thing Mike was. Aim that face for the 2 o'clock position and wow! Beautiful reds on this one...nice BG and exposure.

[Vida van der Walt]

Hi Allen. Love the great detail of the wing veins. Lovely colours and bg as well.:)

[Ken Childs]

Beautiful exposure on this one! I agree with more tilt and I would like to see how it looks with the tips of the stick/grass cloned out.

Come up for that springtime visit we talked about and you'll get plenty of chances to shoot this species. If you're here early enough in the day, there's a good chance you'll catch some emerging from their exoskeletons.

http://www.finishflagfarms.com/other/kens_pics/dragons/slides/Calico_Pennant-01-IMG_7969.html

[Markus Jais]

wonderful details and sharpness. Great BG. I like the light.

Markus

[Anita Bower]

I had no idea there were so many beautiful dragonflies! And hearts! A beauty. :)