Azure Tandem, a photo from Aarhus, West

Photographer's Note

So-called tandem created by a pair of Azure damselflies, Coenagrion puella. Translated directly from Danish these are called "Horseshoe damselfly" because of the U or horseshoe shaped marking that the male has on his rump. The females come in various forms, and this yellow-green with black markings is the most common variety. Azure damselfly has a body length of 33-37 mm and a wingspan of 40-47 mm.
These two had been wheeled (the actual mating) and were now resting before second round; the egg-laying. I'd hoped to get a pair wheeled, but that was not to be - not yet, anyway.. After the mating the male stays with the female still holding on to her and flying with her to where she lays her eggs. Actually, I did see this pair performing the egg-laying ceremony afterwards, it took place on some rotting vegetation floating in the brook. I also tried to get a few shots, but any movement rippling the water ever so slightly would make laying couples take off asap, so I had to take the photos from a distance of about 1.5 meter. Now, I don't know if you can hit an item of some 3 mm x 3,5 cm with the autofocus from that distance, but I couldn't, so this is what you get ;-)
Treatment: Crop, contrast +10, saturation +10, USM and resize.

carper, prlcs, elihesamian, gbac, elroyie, wilkinsonsg, mogens-j ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

carper (96) 2004-06-05 5:39

Hello Bente,
They are lovely, It's a good pair, good composition, and good capture.I know it's not easy, but I know you must have some luck to, great job.

prlcs (63) 2004-06-05 5:51

Très belle photo que voici. Une excellente composition. La profondeur est très bonne. Les couleurs excellentes aussi. Félicitations !

elihesamian (26149) 2004-06-05 5:52

Well seen,very nice title:)I like it,Bente!
details are admirable in this shot,with attractive & lively colors that you captured skilfully.DOFexcellent here,the background very well managed with dark tone,it coused the insects became more tangible & charming.
Well done!and thanks for posted this beautiful shot.
Respectfully.

gbac (1933) 2004-06-05 5:57

Superbe macro et une note très instuctive.
Le cadrage et la lumière sont très bien maîtrisé.
Bravo Bente.

steffleu (1397) 2004-06-05 6:23

Très belle photo, la PDC est très bonne et laisse bien net les 2 demoiselles. je n'avais pas encore vu des vertes...

Burnham (2428) 2004-06-05 8:00

Cool! I think the copmosition is just great, and the fact that they are so tiny makes that straw look like a freeway. As Jaap said, both a skillfull and lucky shot - must like I figure all macros shots are :o)

Tweety (4546) 2004-06-05 14:55

Superbe Bente ! Photo très nette et colorée ; la disposition du sujet le long de la diagonale est excellent. Bravo !

elroyie (2750) 2004-06-06 3:20

Very good catch, two in the same frame, well done!

The colours are very good and sharp picture, I liked your composition a lot.

cdewet (0) 2004-06-06 9:34

Beautiful critters, Bente. I love the texture of the leaf too.
Suggestion - I would clone out the pink beige white stems below the main leaf or just blur them, as they compete with your subject, which is spot on.

wilkinsonsg (8662) 2004-06-06 11:50

Great image, sharp,colourfull and an interesting subject.
The note is also good :)

mogens-j (56) 2004-06-06 17:31

Very nice one Bente. Colours and dof is spot on an so are the light.

yesterday (9833) 2004-06-07 4:27

One Horseshoe damselfly is good 2 is not dobbele as good:-), but it is GREAT picture.

Wondeful dirgonal compocition, light + color + contrast is perfect.

Regards kaj nielsen

explomars (4302) 2004-06-22 16:16

une bleue , une verte, on a le choix, tres belle composition, tres rare par chez nous ces libellules, tres bien resussi, belle couleur et bon cadrage...super Bente...Phil