dragon/damselfly tips

Adam Cheeseman · #11 (**permalink**) 31-05-2009, 09:22 AM

Similar to mothing, a lot of people net them and stick them in the fridge overnight so they are fairly sluggish for about a minute tops when you perch them on something to photograph.

Cheers,

Adam

harasseddad · #12 (**permalink**) 31-05-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Similar to mothing, a lot of people net them and stick them in the fridge overnight so they are fairly sluggish for about a minute tops when you perch them on something to photograph.

Adam

I've heard of it, but I've never met anyone who's done this. Actually I rarely meet anyone with a net. Since chilling changes the colours on many dragons, I suspect it would be noticable in photos as well. And as other's have said, on cold days they're quite frequently happy to stay put anyway.

squishy · #13 (**permalink**) 31-05-2009, 11:51 AM

i don't think i'd want to resort to putting them in the ridge

Wild-Woman · #14 (**permalink**) 31-05-2009, 12:58 PM

Sometimes, if you've got the patience, it's an idea to 'set up' something that the perching dragonflies like, like a nice stick stuck in at an angle in a puddle/wet area that they are hawking around. This has worked for us before and I've seen other folk 'setting the scene' if you like, aiming their camera at the tip of the stick and just being patient. Doesn't always work but if you come across say a BB Chaser that like to return to a nice perch, you may be lucky.

Mike Jackson · #15 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 09:08 PM

I don't know if I've been lucky but I keep my eyes open and if I see one keep going back to a perch I'll sit and wait. These two Broad Bodies Chasers were taken with my 50D with a 75-300 zoom at the 300 end. Both images have been cropped to approximately half size. Not Gallery quality but I'm pleased with them.

Scubapauly · #16 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 11:36 PM

Well, I followed the advice given here and stayed in the shade from the wind on Sunday and managed to get some damselfly shots

1st time using my Sigma 105mm macro

earthdragon64 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 03:13 PM

Another tip is to carefully scan the vegetation around a pond for recently emerged Dragons or Damsels. They tend to sit for quite long periods until their wings are fully dry and you can usually get very close.