Doesn't much matter (unless you count ego) because Misty Dawn over at My Dogs Keep Me Sane will set me straight. Good gawd, the woman even has a life list of bugs she hopes to someday photograph. Me? I just shoot pretty things.
Why yes, I am shallow.
At least about bugs.
(Misty, I spent about 3 hours trying to identify these, so please tell me I got at least one right.)
::sob::
Crane Fly (species: Tipula oropezoides)
Orange Bluet Damselfly (species: Enallagma signatum)
Female White-Faced Meadowhawk Dragonfly (species: Sympetrum obtrusum)
Male White-Faced Meadowhawk Dragonfly (species: Sympetrum obtrusum)
My friend, Peg, asked how I get these bastids to pose for photographs. I approach this in a very Zen-like manner. I pretend I'm a tree. I become one with my roots, sway gently with the breezes, and never ever breathe.
I'm not a fan of bugs, but these are quite amazingly beautiful.
ReplyDelete=)
Oh, my dear friend, I've been looking to photograph a male Meadowhawk for a couple years now... ever since I photographed a female and was so excited because it was a new species for me - then I found out it wasn't even supposed to be in this area. So, of course, I've been hunting for her man. bwahahahahaha Outstanding photographs!
ReplyDelete(pssst - between you and me - I just shoot pretty things too... well things that are pretty to me... most people thing I'm insane for thinking a bug is pretty. I never was able to ID them until I met one of my best friends online (4 years ago) - he has taught me so much, and I think I even impress him now. hehe)
P.S. Photographing a wolf in the wild, and photographing a bobcat in the wild is also on my life list too (and they aren't bugs)... so there! :-P hehehehe
ReplyDeleteoh, great work Cheryl! great captures of bugs!!! and if you are ever really stuck on identifying a bug, try talking to fly fishermen ... they usually know their bugs and how to make them! i swear my dad knows every bug in existence and the time frames they are in certain stages of development for almost every lake he has ever fished at.... yeah ... fly fishermen are like that ...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jo about fly fishermen. My dad used to really bug me. Okay, I didn't really say that, did I?
ReplyDelete— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Wow! You have some super captures here!!! If you are shallow, then so am I!
ReplyDeleteThose were great and I got to sharpen up the ol' latin skills. Which are non-existent.
ReplyDeletewell, um...you get some pretty cool bugs in your neck of the woods...we mostly see spiders, and crickets and other common creepy bugs...
ReplyDeleteYour damselfly and dragonfly photos are wonderful. Trying to identify isn't easy, you have the photo, that's what matters (in my eyes).
ReplyDeletedragonflies are so cool...ah, i have a soft spot for bugs...unfortunately that is where they tend to bite me...smiles.
ReplyDeleteLovely images of the dragonflies!
ReplyDeleteWow - fabulous photos! You really can get them to pose for you!
ReplyDeleteVery good and nice photos.
ReplyDeleteRegards!
Well, I am impressed with the photos and the identifications!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fab! I enjoyed looking around your blog - fun!
ReplyDeleteOf course I could have identified every one of these without having to resort to using a book :p
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Love the shadow in the fourth picture.
ReplyDeleteYou got some wonderful shots of those dragons!
ReplyDeleteLove your trick to make like a tree. :)
Your first two shots are lovely as well of the little yellow blooms.
Carletta@Carletta's Captures
I'm impressed...not only by your awesome photos, but that you took the time to research what you were photographing down the exact speciies and all! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your zen method of pretending you're a tree.
That fourth one is amazing! I love the shadow.
ReplyDeleteYpur pics are really, really cool and beautiful! The story about the method behindthe pics made me smile. Next time I to will pretend to be a tree or something...
ReplyDeleteWhat a hoot you are, I so enjoyed reading and looking at your blog. I am now your latest follower. You make me giggle!! Glad to see the only thing that you lost in the hurricane was your neighbors tree.
ReplyDeleteOH. WOW. Absolutely amazing shots. So are there bug watchers that are similar to the bird watchers? I've never heard of that. You my dear, are a master. What I want to know now is how one survives without breathing. I've been diagnosed with COPD and the breathing thing is quite the effort. Would just as soon skip the whole business...
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
these are amazing photos!
ReplyDeletethank you for the comment :)
great shots
ReplyDeleteOh, man, you're cute.
ReplyDeleteI took these to our resident bug specialist: You are right on every one.
He was secretly hoping you'd mess up.
Something about always having to be right.
I am glad you sound so much better.
These are awesome captures, Cheryl! And I'm just amazed at your patience. But more than that even - impressive that you invest so much effort in IDing these critters.
ReplyDeleteThe science chimp inside of me wants to know more about most every insect or critter that I encounter. And you have managed to capture a very diverse group of flying critters; and then attach a name to each of them. That's a considerable accomplishment. Very nice-
And enjoyable to read & view
glorious captures!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
I'm impressed! There wasn't a dead subject among these photos!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Cheryl! Continue with the tree impersonation - it obviously works;-)
ReplyDeleteCheryl, thank you for visiting my post today. I am so delighted to have reciprocated and found such a charming post. I look forward to perusing your archived posts some quiet morning while I enjoy my coffee. Now that it's still dark in the morning when I rise, I can't sit and watch the birds!! ~karen
ReplyDeleteDragonflies really are beautiful critters. Thanks for sharing your pics.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I don't like insects at all ! but on your picture it looks rather cute ! Strange, lol !
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection! I love them, by any name, and you've captured every nuance.
ReplyDeleteHappy Labor Day too!
Stunning shots!
ReplyDeleteI'm bad with names.
I prefer to give MY critters cool names like Pug or Thug ;-)
Btw, when I walk around my place Heaven everybeing pretend they're dead so I won't bother them with my inanities. Hey, I should blog about that! Ha!
Wonderful photos, dragonflies are elusive for me and I like them a lot.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I love your pretending to be a tree. I've tried pretending to be a flower but it's really hard to photograph a bug when it's sitting on your head looking for pollen. :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteI love the photos of your dragonflies!! How can you tell which is the sexes apart? Coloring or anatomy?? I think your blog will be a fun one...thanks for visiting mine :)
These are amazing, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dragonflies, and damselfly! You're good as identifying them. I only know they are dragonfly or damselfly, not the specific names :-(
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I love, love dragonflies - so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI just love them! Well done. Cheers from Cottage Country!
ReplyDeletegorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are getting in touch with your Zen-like roots. Great shots of the 'flies, even if I don't know what the plant is...or isn't. :-)
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