Monday, June 16, 2008

Flying Dragons: Part Duex

Given today's oppressive heat, and let's not forget the humidity, hardly a bird or bug was moving. Darlene and I went straight to the pond in Summer Grove for our weekly photo shoot of the gosling twins. We searched the waters edge for a sign of the gaggle and listened intently for their calls. Nothing. Using my 300mm zoom lens as a telescope, I spotted the family in a cove across the pond. They were either resting or asleep in the heat. Taking a noon day siesta, I assume. Why weren't we doing the same? Not even the prospect of bread could entice them to make the journey across the pond. Photo ops were slim to none. Looking at a strange flowering plant at the water's edge, my eye caught the busy antics of a bumble bee. Also included in my photos are shots of dragon flies taken last Friday. Yes, MORE dragon flies. Well, there wasn't much else to photograph...so, why not?. Anyway, they're pretty. Their precarious balancing acts on thin reeds made me chuckle. I got the impression they were bored and needed a diversion, or maybe they were just showing off for the camera:) Tomorrow we will return to the pond and see if we can photograph the goslings.

UPDATE: I used my 300mm zoom lens to photograph all of the shots shown below. It was suggested in comments that I change my F stop to capture the wings of the bee in flight. However, I didn't even realize I caught the bee in flight until I downloaded my CF card. I was actually quite a distance away and snapped my camera about 20 times hoping to get one good shot. Yes, had I known I caught the bee in flight, I would have increased the shutter speed. Oh, well. Judy, I don't know the name of the weed that enticed the bee. I'm terrible at identifying plants. Perhaps Priss knows.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

The bee's wings in the second picture are AWESOME. You should try to reset your F Stop (Fly Stop) to catch the wings in mid flutter....or may-bee in this case a B Stop.
The dragon fly balancing delicately on a reed reminds me of myself deftly balancing lithly on............ok, a little over the edge on that one.

Judyann said...

What is that flower (weed) that the bee is on? It looks interesting. I liked the last photo of the reeds.

Jamie Payne said...

Pretty as usual. I like the bird...he looks caught off guard:)

Janette said...

Well girl I just love dragonflies. So I love seeing those photos. I never grow tired of them. I have them around my fishpond. BUT they are always on the move. Then don't sit still for long.

The photos are all gorgeous. Great job once again. Can't wait to see more. =)

Roxanne Schwandt said...

All I can say is WOW! What an amazing capture, as always, of nature's little bugs :) WOW! I've never seen a bee's wings before. WOW!!

Deb said...

My favorite photo is the dragonfly hanging on for dear life as his body appears to be drifting away and up. He seems to be hoping the breeze will stop so he can rest. I love it. Again, you take such wonderful photos. I bow to the great debra!

Deb said...

Debra, you will be proud to learn that there is a similar photo of a dragon flying on Pioneer Woman blog! Yep...you did good!

Chere said...

You doughboy is a scream. His comment is a hoot. I can just see delicate little Pete balancing on a reed. We will keep this bit of info in mind for the sailing. I am sure his talent will come in handy.

Chere said...

I do not know what the weed is. Sorry!

Carol Buie-Jackson said...

The weed is a Button Bush. And its not a weed, in the bad sense of the word, its a wonderful native plant. Its a wonderful host plant for over 15 species of moth and butterfly caterpillars and butterflies and hummingbirds (and bees!) are fed by the nectar. Great photo. www.smelllikedirt.com

Country Girl said...

I still am marveling at this wonderful blog. The bee's wings are busy. These photos are amazing.