Dragonflies and Damselflies

[ISv]

It must at least be a testament of the time you've dedicated for something unusual happening.

Thanks - they use to do it time to time, nothing exceptional... I have no idea what is the reason behind of it.

 

[AlanF]

First Southern Hawker in flight for me this year. The second shot has one with what appears to be spider's silk attached to its rear.

View attachment 212125View attachment 212126

On doing some reading, I think it might be a horsehair worm. Fascinating parasites that usually infect crickets and eventually chnage its behaviour so the host drowns itself so the worm can get into water. Here's shot showing more of its length. Extreme luck to get the whole issue side on for focus when I was aiming for the dragonfly without seeing the worm, but testimony to the AF of the R5 against a background to get it and the sharpness of the lens, and able to work at 10-16k iso.

 

[Maximilian]

On doing some reading, I think it might be a horsehair worm. Fascinating parasites that usually infect crickets and eventually chnage its behaviour so the host drowns itself so the worm can get into water. H

Fascinating! Thanks for researching and sharing the facts @AlanF

 

[Click]

WOW First time I've heard that. Thanks for sharing this info. Very nice shot, Alan.

 

[Maximilian]

Willow emerald + me playing around with backlight and oof highlighsts

 

[Click]

Nice shots. I really like the first one. Well done.

 

[Maximilian]

Nice shots. I really like the first one. Well done.

Thanks, Click.
I prefer the second one, because of the position of the highlights and the head is better in focus.

 

[Click]

I agree with you, the second one is better.

 

[Nemorino]

I think it might be a horsehair worm

I don't think it is a worm. IMO it is a female ovipositioning. I have several shots with similar looking threads, all attached to females ovipositioning.
Like this:
(R5+ RF 100-500L @ 343mm, f/5.6, 1/4000s, Iso 4000)

Of cause non of them is as long as in Your picture.

 

[EricN]

I don't think it is a worm. IMO it is a female ovipositioning. I have several shots with similar looking threads, all attached to females ovipositioning.
Like this:
(R5+ RF 100-500L @ 343mm, f/5.6, 1/4000s, Iso 4000)
View attachment 212244
Of cause non of them is as long as in Your picture.

They are all beautiful and interesting photos no mater if it's from a spiderweb parasite or ovipositioning.

 

[AlanF]

I don't think it is a worm. IMO it is a female ovipositioning. I have several shots with similar looking threads, all attached to females ovipositioning.
Like this:
(R5+ RF 100-500L @ 343mm, f/5.6, 1/4000s, Iso 4000)
View attachment 212244
Of cause non of them is as long as in Your picture.

There's a slight flaw in your argument. It's a male Southern Hawker and males don't oviposit. An expert from the British Dragonfly Society thinks it’s more likely to be spiders silk.

 

[EricN]

There's a slight flaw in your argument. It's a male Southern Hawker and males don't oviposit. An expert from the British Dragonfly Society thinks it’s more likely to be spiders silk.

I liked the worm idea, but if the I think the expert from the British Dragonfly Society would know.

 

[ISv]

No visible threads here (I'm not sure I ever have seen this). This guy never turned it's face to me (except in one-two occasions when landing on it's very own branch...)

 

[AlanF]

It's breeding time for Common Darters. R5 + RF 100-5500mm.

 

[Click]

No visible threads here (I'm not sure I ever have seen this). This guy never turned it's face to me (except in one-two occasions when landing on it's very own branch...)

Nice series, ISv.

 

[Click]

It's breeding time for Common Darters. R5 + RF 100-5500mm.

They are breeding in formation in the first picture.

Well done, Alan.

 

[Maximilian]

RF 100-5500mm.

Alan, where did you get that lens? How much? How big?

 

[Maximilian]

Vagrant darters (sympetrum vulgatum) while family planning

 

[AlanF]

Alan, where did you get that lens? How much? How big?

Jealous?

 

[Click]

Very nice picture, Maximilian.