Shop
Clinging delicately to a springy leaf-perch, an Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) takes a warm sunbath. This male did not stay in place very long, and actively chased several others around the pond. These insect darts, with their brilliant dappled wings added a fluttering powder-blue beauty to the environs.
Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon EF 1.4x II Extender
420mm, 1/500 sec, f / 8, -1/3 EV, ISO 400
Hand-held
University of British Columbia Botanical Gardens
Vancouver, BC
16 Jul 2010
Tags (old style): Eight-spotted Skimmer, Libellula forensis, Genus Libellula, Family Libellulidae, Suborder Anisoptera, Order Odonata, Class Insecta, dragonfly, meadowhawk, insect, odonate, arthropod, bug, red, perch, branch, twig, bokeh, Canon camera, Canon Rebel T1i, Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 1.4x II Extender, Botanical Gardens, University of British Columbia, UBC, GVRD, Vancouver, British Columbia, BC, Canada
I am a natural historian and published author, illustrator and photographer. I become overjoyed whenever someone feels that my artistic works are worth purchasing: Many, many thanks to those who do. And thank you for dropping by my little space here on RedBubble.
View Full Profile
Comments
Awesome shot! These guys look pretty similar to my twelve spotted skimmer. Not as many spots though. :)
Thank you much, William, and that is a great photo of a twelve-spot. And indeed, the similarity is striking. I would really like to get some photos of the Twelve-spotted Skimmer, but apparently west of the Cascades they range only as far north as the Olympia area. I might have to arrange a “southern” dragonfly expedition next summer, perhaps going to the Willamette Valley to find some of the species that are not in Southwest BC.
– Wolf Read
This is a very beautiful capture! I find those hard to capture, since they move around a lot.
Thank you much, Eivor. With the skimmers, it is good to pause in the vegetation near where they are flitting about, and then wait. Once they get used to your presence, one ore more may perch nearby offering an opportunity for a photo.
– Wolf Read