Lens-Artists Challenge #376: Wings
Beth is the Lens-Artists host for this week’s challenge. In her opening paragraph, she wrote, “I am challenging you to feature anything with wings.” She offers excellent examples that will certainly help you if you’re unsure how to respond to the challenge. For me, this was a double challenge. I had to limit the number of photos I would include in my post and wanted to focus on one topic. So, I chose Odonata, an order of predatory flying insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies. The way that light is captured on their wings has always fascinated and compelled me to photograph them. Luckily, three of my favorite places have plenty of odonata, and I don’t have to travel far from home. Here are a few captures from recent visits.
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Reserve
The opener, a Band-winged dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata), posed gracefully above a pond. Also captured at the same location and on the same day are the following two dragonflies: Roseate skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) and Red-tailed pennant (Brachymesia furcata).
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The next shot was a first sighting for me: Variegated meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum). I was mesmerized by its color and poise. You can see the details on its wings.
Berry Springs Park & Preserve
The last three images were photographed at Berry Springs Park & Preserve. First, you have an Eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis). Its striking green color quickly captures your eye. As for the Southern spreadwing (Lestes australis), I just captured it four days ago. It was also the first time I had seen one. The late afternoon sun beautifully reflected from its wings. Also, from four days ago, the last image is an American rubyspot (Hetaerina americana), the only damselfly in this gallery. Just look at the vibrant ruby color in its wings.
Patti’s challenge last week generated such excellent responses. I can hardly wait to see where you will take us this week in Beth’s challenge. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag so everyone can find your post more easily.
Next week, Ann-Christine returns with a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring American Rubyspot, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Eastern Pondhawk, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Lens-Artists, Parks, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Tra Italia e Finlandia
La natura offre spettacoli di unica meraviglia!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie!
solaner
very nice, Egídio. I love dragonflies (even if sometimes a bit scary when in flight coming quite close)
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, André.
Lakshmi Bhat
Lovely, each one of them. Thank you.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words.
restlessjo
Just the most stunning images! xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million.
Leanne Cole
I love dragonflies and your photos are amazing Egidio, I can’t get good ones of them.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. Sometimes, you just need to wait a little. They tend to return to the same spot you first spotted one.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I am going to keep it simple, WOW, love these Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. That means a lot to me.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Such beautiful captures Egídio and what a gorgeous variety of dragonflies! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Xenia.
marina
Wonderfully captured!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Marina.
Sofia Alves
Superb photos, Egídio! I only have one good photo of a dragonfly so I’m quite envious 😀
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Sofia.
Toonsarah
Oh, these are so beautiful! And the wings do look like filigree 😀
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. Those wings are so fragile.
photobyjohnbo
I see the reader didn’t share your image galleries, just identified them in text by number. I came here to your page to see them.
I also did some research. I’d never heard the term “dragonlet” before. You always encourage me to find new things when I read your nature posts.
Egidio Leitao
This time I don’t think it was the Reader’s fault. I got a copy of the post via email, and it contained only thumbnails. You got something totally different. Maybe the Reader did use only the numbers and not the actual photos. Back to my post, I’m glad it was informative. Thanks for the feedback.
margaret21
You HAVE risen to the challenge. Great dragonfly shots. How DO you do it??
Egidio Leitao
That is such a wonderful comment. Thank you so much, Margaret.
margaret21
😊
Egidio Leitao
Oh, I forgot to answer your question: patience and patience — and several wasted minutes waiting.
margaret21
Oh not wasted! Look at the results.
Egidio Leitao
You are absolutely right. Thanks for pointing that out.
Ana
Awesome post!!! Wonderful dragonflies.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for these kind words, Ana. I appreciate them.
Steve Hyde
Great post Egidio 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Steve.
Teresa
Great post Egidio. All lovely shots.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Teresa. Glad you liked them.
klh048
A great post, Egidio, and what an awesome variety of dragonflies. I have a goldfish pond that attracts orange and green varieties. They are always around in the warmer months.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ken. I appreciate the feedback. That pond seems like a great addition to your yard.
Anne Sandler
Great captures Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Anne.
Tina Schell
Knowing how incredibly difficult they are to capture makes you images of these beauties that much more amazing Egidio! I’ve yet to capture a damsel myself so major kudos on that one especially. And such a striking color! She’s a true beauty. Terrific post from start to finish.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Tina. These creatures are teaching me to have more patience. 🙂 It’s the only way to photograph them.
Vicki
Amazing dragonflies (and damselfly). A great solution to the challenge and beautifully photographed.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words, Vicki.
Brad Volz
Your images are stunning Egidio! How nice to so many of these beauties near you, and the skills and camera to catch them. They’re tricky, especially with my cellphone. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Today’s phones might make it easier. Some of these dragonflies will let you get really close to them. Thanks for the comment.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, you chose a perfect topic for the challenge! Your amazing captures of these flying insects are beautiful works of art! I love them all but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the American Rubyspot. I have tried to capture dragonflies a few times but each time was a fail. Thanks for this response to the challenge.
Egidio Leitao
I love the American rubyspot, too. The red is so rich. Thanks for the feedback.