Correction: thanks to Mike Powell for IDing this as a Great Blue Skimmer:
“I am almost certain that your dragonfly is a Great Blue Skimmer rather than a Blue Dasher, Blue Dashers have striped thoraxes (the “chest” area), while Great Blue Skimmers have whitish thoraxes, like the one in your images. Blue Dashers are also quite a bit smaller than Great Blue Skimmers, whose bodies seem more elongated. “
I now have two Canon 7D Mark II camera bodies and went out with them both this week to a preserve circled with old rice fields.
I spotted this Blue Dasher eating some kind of a bee/flying insect and he stuck around long enough for me to get some shots with both sets of gear. The Canon 100-400mm lens takes wonderful closeups, especially when the light is good, although I try not to go to the full 400mm as it tends to go a bit soft. This time I forgot.
As is often the case in South Carolina swamp areas, I was limited in distance and angle for safety reasons. In addition to the usual snakes and alligators to watch for this dike was riddled with ant hills. I just assume they bite and try to stay clear.
After a few shots I was able to get a bit closer with the 100mm lens while there was still some lunch remaining.
Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel, SC
June 23, 2021
Wonderful detail and colour! A lot to keep an eye on besides your subject in those swamps 😏.
Thanks, Belinda! I’ve probably said this before, but I’m more worried about the ants than the other things. They are small but the biting ones can do some real damage.
Wonderfully detailed shots, Ellen, of the dragonfly and its lunch. In my experience dragonflies are a bit distracted when they are eating, which sometimes lets me get in even closer than normal. I am almost certain that your dragonfly is a Great Blue Skimmer rather than a Blue Dasher, Blue Dashers have striped thoraxes (the “chest” area), while Great Blue Skimmers have whitish thoraxes, like the one in your images. Blue Dashers are also quite a bit smaller than Great Blue Skimmers, whose bodies seem more elongated. I am impressed that you carried two bodies out into the field. It saves having to change lenses, but that is a pretty fair amount of additional weight to be toting. Do you have one of those strap things that lets you keep them both ready to go?
Thank you, Mike, and I’d agree he didn’t seem to pay me any attention. Once again I’ve gotten the ID not quite right; I did look it up and saw the Great Blue Skimmer, but for some reason discounted it. Thanks for explanation.
I had gotten the mirrorless Sony A6500 a few years ago so I could have two lens types ready without adding too much weight but never really liked it. Issues for me were the petite buttons and awkward method to change settings. It’s amazing how our memory kicks in to make changes when you are used to a system, which then makes anything else seem foreign. So, last month I traded the Sony gear all in and got a second, used, 7D and I’m back to carrying two on some days.
I have them each on a Peak Design neck strap, one over neck and one shoulder, the other on the other side. Sometimes I end up clunking the two together, but mostly it works. I’ve seen some photographers with snap on belt and harness kinds of arrangements that also look awkward to me but they seem to make it work.
I am glad you were not offended by my comments about the dragonfly. I still have a lot to learn about identification, but have learned quite a bit over the years. Thanks for the explanation about the two Canon bodies. Your explanation makes a lot of sense. I have heard that Sony’s menu system is one of its shortcomings, though many people love their cameras. It is definitely an advantage to have identical bodies when switching cameras, so that you instinctively know which buttons to reach for to make which changes. As for straps and harnesses, my sense if that it is best to use whatever works for you. I have a small Peak Design camera bag that I used when I was in Paris a few years ago, but have never used their neck straps or attachment hardware.
Oh, goodness, I don’t think you could ever offend me, Mike, and I surely can tell it is not in your nature to do so intentionally. 😀 I appreciate you generously sharing your knowledge and the gentle way you do it!
If I had the Sony first, maybe I would love it, on the other hand I might have been discouraged. And I have slowly been moving into a “simpler is better” phase of life!
The thing I like about the Peak Design straps is the snap in button arrangement to attach them so it’s easy to get them off and back on. None of that threading through and doing it backwards like the strap that comes with the Canon.
They are beautiful I’m just glad they are small. If they were big they’d be scary!
Yes, they would be quite menacing in a larger size. As it is they are eating machines and consume tremendous numbers of other, usually smaller, insects.
These are excellent, Ellen. Such a beautiful dragonfly. I’ve encountered fire ants a couple of times photographing in the south. It is a harrowing moment when you first feel the painful bites and look down and see them marching up your legs! 😳😩 I learned that no matter how transfixed I was capturing a scene, I always looked down first.
Thanks, Jane, glad that you liked them.
They do seem to be everywhere here and harrowing is surely the right word!