He's strangling her while they're doing it? Primal, passionate, kinky... I like it.
Plus, it's a really beautiful photo. I cannot believe the things you manage to capture with your camera, Cheryl, you're a genius. Prettiest (and kinkiest) heart all day.
Nah, he grabs her by the neck to help her get into position so they can have itty bitty flitty damselbabies. (Notice how I skipped over the graphic details. It hurts my brain to think about it. Damselfly love is complicated.)
Strangling might be too harsh a term. He does have a firm grip on things, though. He has to because there's so much more work they both have to do to get connected to ensure bluets never become an endangered species.
The day I was down at the tidal marshes, there were tons of diddling damsels. Just above the brackish water it looked like a frenzy of blue spinning and twirling and zipping around. I got lucky when I saw a pair up in the reeds closer to the road. The reason I went down there was to practice trying to capture dragonflies in midair. I did practice with the damsels but they're so much smaller and delicate than dragons, I didn't stand a chance.
Patience and more patience. There were about 20 pair of them plus another 100 (not kidding) flitting around just above the marsh. I noticed a dragonfly land nearby. That's when I saw this pair. I took tons of photos of the pairs hanging on marsh grass but they were just so tiny & far away. This was great because they were closer. I've seen this heart-shape with damsels and dragons. It's pretty common for them to move into and out of this formation as they get positioned.
I'm pulling double-duty today by co-hosting another photo challenge. I finally got to post a crapload of dragons I forgot to publish in late August. I don't think you've seen all of these before.
They both live. To properly align their naughty bits takes a lot of interesting acrobatics.
When it comes to dragons, damsels, and butterflies, it's mostly patience and staying alert for movement. Not casting a shadow helps too. The tend to take wing when a shadow crosses over them.
Yikes. Now you have my imagination going crazy...Oh, good. I just read your answer that they both survive. It would be a shame for such beautiful insects to prey upon each other after mating. =)
The first time I saw a pair od dragonflies, it looked like the male was dragging around a dead comrade. Now that I've spent another year observing, photographing, identifying, and researching, I realize that mating is a fairly complicated process because of the location of their reproductive organs.
(I'm a researcher from waaaaaaaaay back and I'm beginning to sound as dry and boring as the stereotype. Yikes!)
This is a perfect photo for the prompt.
ReplyDeleteok you have me intrigued with the shudder...so she eats him? need to go google...its like a trainwreck i cant look away from...smiles...
ReplyDeleteHE'S strangling HER. It's a bit like watching a caveman club his woman. In fact, it's a whole lot like 1950s America. Hence the shudder.
ReplyDeleteOh my....
ReplyDeleteewww he's strangling her... ugh... seems a high price to pay for a little hoohah
ReplyDeleteNothing says I love you quite like asphyxiation.
ReplyDeleteTotally fabulous photo - now I need a cigarette!
ReplyDeleteHe's strangling her while they're doing it? Primal, passionate, kinky... I like it.
ReplyDeletePlus, it's a really beautiful photo. I cannot believe the things you manage to capture with your camera, Cheryl, you're a genius. Prettiest (and kinkiest) heart all day.
HE strangles HER?!?! Just like a guy to screw up his chances of carrying on the species...
ReplyDeleteLove the picture!
LOL! :)
ReplyDeleteNature heart!
ReplyDeleteDamselfly porn... way to go, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteI'll be back to comment right after I take a long, cold shower.
ReplyDeleteMan, I thought the Kama Sutra had every possible variation. This has been educational.
ReplyDeletethat's a pretty cool photo, how you get them to... nevermind.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen. It's colorful in more ways than one.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, they both survive. Don't quote me on that but I'm pretty sure they're in it for the kids.
ReplyDeleteYou should have seen me after I watched them and 17 pairs of their friends. I think I smoked a pack after that outing.
ReplyDeleteYep, in the wild, anything goes and the best part is there's no shame.
ReplyDeleteYou've heard of the horse-whisperer, right? I'm a lot like that with dragonflies, damselflies, and birds.
ReplyDeleteOne of my best things besides hugging.
ReplyDeleteThe best kind of heart!
ReplyDeleteIt was mating season down at the tidal basin. I've never seen so many critters mating at once. Pretty stunning.
ReplyDeleteNah, he grabs her by the neck to help her get into position so they can have itty bitty flitty damselbabies. (Notice how I skipped over the graphic details. It hurts my brain to think about it. Damselfly love is complicated.)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Deckside Thoughts, home of the most obscure and useless information on the interwebs, 2nd only to wiki-everything.
ReplyDeleteWhen you come back, I'll fill you in on all the graphic details. Not to spoil the surprise, but they both live.
ReplyDeleteStrangling might be too harsh a term. He does have a firm grip on things, though. He has to because there's so much more work they both have to do to get connected to ensure bluets never become an endangered species.
ReplyDeleteThe day I was down at the tidal marshes, there were tons of diddling damsels. Just above the brackish water it looked like a frenzy of blue spinning and twirling and zipping around. I got lucky when I saw a pair up in the reeds closer to the road. The reason I went down there was to practice trying to capture dragonflies in midair. I did practice with the damsels but they're so much smaller and delicate than dragons, I didn't stand a chance.
How in the WORLD did you get this shot! I have never seen them like this. Well I've seen them... you know... but this is beautiful.. that heart!
ReplyDeleteOh, you know how much I love your dragonfly photos!!! Of course this is my favorite of the day!
ReplyDeletePatience and more patience. There were about 20 pair of them plus another 100 (not kidding) flitting around just above the marsh. I noticed a dragonfly land nearby. That's when I saw this pair. I took tons of photos of the pairs hanging on marsh grass but they were just so tiny & far away. This was great because they were closer. I've seen this heart-shape with damsels and dragons. It's pretty common for them to move into and out of this formation as they get positioned.
ReplyDeleteThanks Meleah.
ReplyDeleteI'm pulling double-duty today by co-hosting another photo challenge. I finally got to post a crapload of dragons I forgot to publish in late August. I don't think you've seen all of these before.
http://decksidethoughts.blogspot.com/2012/10/your-sunday-best-30-days-of-photographs.html
WOOOOOOOT!
ReplyDeleteWait, so does this end as happily as the Praying Mantis ritual?
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I don't know how you get them. I mean, I know you use a camera and all but, well, you know what I mean.
They both live. To properly align their naughty bits takes a lot of interesting acrobatics.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to dragons, damsels, and butterflies, it's mostly patience and staying alert for movement. Not casting a shadow helps too. The tend to take wing when a shadow crosses over them.
Yikes. Now you have my imagination going crazy...Oh, good. I just read your answer that they both survive. It would be a shame for such beautiful insects to prey upon each other after mating. =)
ReplyDeleteThe first time I saw a pair od dragonflies, it looked like the male was dragging around a dead comrade. Now that I've spent another year observing, photographing, identifying, and researching, I realize that mating is a fairly complicated process because of the location of their reproductive organs.
ReplyDelete(I'm a researcher from waaaaaaaaay back and I'm beginning to sound as dry and boring as the stereotype. Yikes!)
Fantastic shot!
ReplyDeleteThanks H. These are some gorgeous damsels, aren't they?
ReplyDelete