Common Chasers (I think?)

[John 2]

I binned my first attempts after seeing David's first Damselfly post but I've been back to our local nature reserve for another try. Still plagued by stray grasses and busy BGs but these are a bit better.

Nikon D7100 +Takumar 100mm macro or Fuji X +60mm macro.

1.


2.


3.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[chauncey]

You have done well with those dragons, the background is kinda difficult to control in situ.

[ajohnw]

Envious John.

Curious. Did you shoot these hand held or use some sort of support?

John
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[vaez]

nice image special color lovely

[Brownbear]

Yes, you've captured the dragonfly beautifully! The background in the 3rd image while busy is quite nice.

[deetheturk]

Great captures John, well worth waiting for

[John 2]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

John, they are all hand held. A tripod just takes too long to set up and somehow, I just don't get on with a monopod and head. I use a bean bag for my longer lenses and I have been wondering about whether there is away I can use that with the monopod.

[nikon66]

Beautiful colors and is in focus.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice shots John

[Geoff F]

They are female Common Darters.

So far this year, I haven't seen any males.

[John 2]

Thanks Steven, thanks Binnur.

Geoff, senility strikes again. Don't know where I got "Chaser" from. There's no such thing. Just misreading my FSC card. Incidentally, thanks for pointing me to these card sets. They are excellent and very portable.

[ied]

. I use a bean bag for my longer lenses and I have been wondering about whether there is away I can use that with the monopod.

John, I must be the only one who's not heard of using a bean bag. Please, explain briefly.
By the way- extremely sharp for hand held.

Irene

[John 2]

Hi Irene, naturalists using telescopes or nature photographers using very long lenses sometimes find it easier to rest the lens/telescope on a small bean bag which in turn can be placed on a field gate or a wall etc. When an opportunity presents itself in the field, they can be quicker to set up than a tripod. To give you an idea, this is a UK site that makes and sells them but you can find them on Amazon and e-Bay as well.

http://www.camerabeanbags.co.uk/products.html

[ajohnw]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

John, they are all hand held. A tripod just takes too long to set up and somehow, I just don't get on with a monopod and head. I use a bean bag for my longer lenses and I have been wondering about whether there is away I can use that with the monopod.

The problems I find with a monopod is if I have to tilt it when I should adjust it's or my height. They never seem to be at the right height and me well I'm usually too tall.

I have had some luck using the rear screen when insects are low down near ground level but only because I am using AF. The screens are never bright enough but I can pick up the outline and the af confirmation. Virtually all of the insects I have found so far though have been sunning themselves in bushes and shrubs etc well above even crouch down heights.

John
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[Stagecoach]

Good series John, the backgrounds are fine.

[John 2]

The problems I find with a monopod is .............................They never seem to be at the right height ..................

+1 John

Thanks Graham. You do see some nature shots though that just have a nice soft blurred BG. I know some people carry a coloured backdrop but I can't see that working for things that run away.