Dragonflies and Damselflies

[Nat_WA]

Another sitting duck, or a yellow-spotted whiteface to be more exact. Possily the same individual, this time it held the wings steady but moved the tail so I could not use the last picture in the stack.. I noticed another odd thing, the rib patterns in the wings are actually not identical on right and left side, at least when it comes to the smallest sections. I wonder if the pattern is unique for each individual then, like our fingerprints..?

I'd expect the fine detail of the (the 'rib patterns' as you call them) to have a randomness within the larger (genetic) picture, thus indeed be unique to the individual. In nature it wouldn't be efficient to "code" everything to the last micron... and species that are too fixed in their build cannot adapt to changing circumstances
W.

 

[Click]

Another very nice shot, Erik.

 

[AlanF]

This procedure looks complicated...

Menage a quatre!

 

[Erik X]

Menage a quatre!

Apparently Actually, I saw three pairs hanging together a moment before I got the picture

 

[Erik X]

.. In nature it wouldn't be efficient to "code" everything to the last micron... and species that are too fixed in their build cannot adapt to changing circumstances
W.

That sounds very reasonable ... As I understand, one of the remaining mysteries in biology is how each cell knows which function it should be specialized to. Sure, the instructions for all the alternatives are stored in DNA and RNA in each cell but where and how the "blueprint" for the complete creature is coded is not yet understood..

 

[AlanF]

Went out on a bird shoot today got nothing but my first female beautiful demoiselle. And she is beautiful (5DSR +100-400mm II + 1.4xTC).

 

[Click]

Nice picture. well done, Alan.

 

[Cog]

This is an immature male Common Whitetail.

Thanks a lot, JBSF!

 

[AlanF]

Banded demoiselles are active again. (5DSR + 100-400mm II).

 

[Click]

Nice. I especially like the second picture.

 

[Erik X]

A red-eyed damselfly, far out in the water.. That pond skater in the background is not added in photoshop, it was sitting there in real life to add some surreal touch to the picture

 

[Click]

I really like those shots. Well done, Erik.

 

[Erik X]

Why can't they choose a better background..? Black-tailed skimmer

 

[AlanF]

Why can't they choose a better background..? Black-tailed skimmer

Don't laugh Erik, I spotted one this afternoon and got in one shot against a horrible background! I wasn't going to post it but I noticed other photos on the net against horrible surfaces, and then you posted!

 

[AlanF]

Female Common Darter, Female Ruddy Darter with an immature Female Azure Damselfly, and a male Azure Damselfly.

 

[Click]

Lovely shots, Alan.

 

[Erik X]

Don't laugh Erik, I spotted one this afternoon and got in one shot against a horrible background! I wasn't going to post it but I noticed other photos on the net against horrible surfaces, and then you posted!

Interesting, maybe it is coded in their genes to choose worst possible background? Actually, their camouflage seems to work pretty well on gravel

 

[kodakrome]

A red-eyed damselfly, far out in the water.. That pond skater in the background is not added in photoshop, it was sitting there in real life to add some surreal touch to the picture

Very nice, Erik!

 

[kodakrome]

Female Common Darter, Female Ruddy Darter with an immature Female Azure Damselfly, and a male Azure Damselfly.

Nice, Alan! I especially like the blue one.

 

[kodakrome]

Couple of shots taken yesterday...