For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Two dragonflies

On the trip with Gaelyn we came across these two dragonflies at the Dinosaur Park.
It is a Julia Skimmer and fairly common here.
It was kind enough to follow us and pose nicely for his photo session. :)
The Small Scarlet is not so widespread.

36 comments:

Diane said...

As always stunning photos, I love the small scarlet. Diane

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. I love the dragonflies but they never seem to settle anywhere long enough to take photographs of them.

Tony nile life said...

Nice ones, and I am getting more names for the ones I see. how is it this is called a scarlet, there are lots of them here, and the red and scarlet ones being the more of.
lots of the julia skimmer most of the dragons I have no problem with as long as I stand still they come back to the same place,

Anonymous said...

Wonderful. I like the textures of the earth behind the wings. It won't be long before we start shooting dragons up here.

Gaelyn said...

These were so special. I love seeing them again. Kind of makes me homesick for ZA.

I'll be offline for a while I think. Puter fixed, heading for the NR today.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tony. Yes they do tend to have the habit of landing back on the same spot so if a person has time to sit and wait for them, they will come back.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Steve. Yes, your season is just begining and I look forward to seeing some of your great pictures on them again.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! "Homesick for ZA", sounds like I got you hooked my friend. :) Good, that means I can count on you being back next year. :)

Pleased to hear you have the PC fixed. It is such a bind when they are not working as we do rely on them so much.

Unknown said...

I think I've never seen the Small Scarlet before. Lovely!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

A first time for me too Jose. Found it near Sudwala Caves during my trip there.

Andrea said...

I like them so much:
They are great predators,like flying Lions.
Have you ever seen how their mouth works?
It's incredible!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Andrea. I am so pleased your computer is working again. You and R are very clever. :)

They do look a bit like lions dont they? I have seen close-ups of the mouth but now how they work. That should be interesting.

Diane AZ said...

Really enjoyed these dragonfly close-ups, especially the eyes in the first one and color of the last. Nice captures, Joan!

FAB said...

Lovely shots Joan. I'm looking forward to chasing dragons and damsels in the Summer. FAB.

Rambling Woods said...

Love them..You got such detail with the face, wings and feet..I can't wait till I see one here....Michelle

Marcie said...

Your photos are just breathtaking. How wonderful that I can hop over here (from the Great Lakes region, USA) and enjoy a glimpse of your beautiful South Africa!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Diane. They are amazing critters.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Frank. Yes, at last your summer has arrived and the insects too. Hope you get some great shots this season.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Michelle. Cant wait to see your shots too.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks for your kind words and visiting my blog Aisling. This elecronic age of ours is so nice in that it allows us to share.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Dragonflies are so difficult to photograph if you have a camera like mine and not something with long lenses and quick focus. I got a nice red one the other day which I'm still due to post. I do love your orange one though.

Wendy said...

Great shots Joan, as always :) I really like those eyes on the skimmer, such a beautiful colour. How nice of him to follow and pose for you! ;)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: Neat photos of the dragonflies, they are back up North and I hope to capture some on film soon.

Vagabonde said...

I read the posts I missed while I was away. Your pictures of bats are quite nice and the post is informative – I did not know that much about bats. I don’t see them around here. The pictures of the African Goshawk are very neat – it is a great looking bird. Your pictures of flowers and insects are terrific. Thanks for coming to my blog and posting comments, I appreciate it.

troutbirder said...

I often wait for the dragonflies too appear in our Boundary Waters Wilderness. Reason: they do a good job in reducing the awful hordes of mosquitoes.

Mary said...

Very nice details! We have several blues that are the most common here, but I never see red ones.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jonker. I use my P&S for most of my pictures but if I want really close up stuff then the longer lens is very necessary. I waited a long time before I got mine.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Leeloo. Sometimes these insects are well trained. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tom. Yes, summer is in for you at last. Here, almost all our bugs have disappeared with all this cold, rainy weather we are having.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Vagabonde. That was such a stunning post you did and I have really loved the series. As I told you, it is of special interest to me.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

They sure are TB and I like having them around for that reason too plus lizards. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Mary. Here we do not have that lovely green one I see you posting but reds are common.

Becky said...

Oh my, I do like that red/orange one. What delicate lacy wings.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is a pretty one Becky. Thanks.

myonlyphoto said...

Joan I think the first dragonfly, we have one here in Canada, never seen the orange one. These are very nice photos. Thanks for sharing again, Anna :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are welcome Anna. The orange was an unusual one for me too.