Michael Weatherford
September 2021 - Damselflies Mating
Original
About the Image(s)
I am going to be X-rated this month and answer the question, "How many mating damselflies can fit on a sycamore leaf". I observed this at the edge of the Cossatot River in Polk County, Arkansas. Processed in Lightroom and Luminar 4 to crop and selectively lighten and sharpen the image. Nikon Z7II, Nikkor Z 70-200mm f2.8 lens, 2X Extender. 400mm, 1/500, f/13, ISO400
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Michael what a unique capture. I had to look at this a long time and I am still not sure I know what I am looking at. I will take you word for it, "bug porn" you were there. I think it is a wonderful capture but I still find it very confusing.
Posted: 09/06/2021 14:51:41
Posted: 09/06/2021 14:51:41
Well, damselfly mating is very complicated. A short description - During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs - this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface. The eggs hatch and the larvae, called nymphs, live in the water. The female can mate with several males. The males have special "tools" that enable them to remove sperm deposited from previous male and then deposit their own. The male stays clasped to the female by her neck as she deposits the fertilized eggs, to prevent another male from coming along and replacing his sperm. The image shows the females depositing fertilized eggs on a sycamore leaf as the males stay attached to their necks. I'm going to take a break now to clear my brain. Posted: 09/07/2021 10:21:36
Wow, that is a compilated system for sure. I had no idea. I have a Master Naturalist certificate form South Carolina but they never taught that. Good stuff Michael, thanks!
Posted: 09/09/2021 11:21:18
Posted: 09/09/2021 11:21:18
Here's a photo of damselflies actually mating. Warning: Don't try this at home. Posted: 09/09/2021 18:17:12
Michael
What an interesting image and something many do not see. In terms of the image the Damselflies create interesting lines that lead the eye almost im a zigzag pattern throughout the image. The damselflies are separated nicely from the background. I find the ed leaf in the lower left corner and the cream stem or line in the upper left corner distracting.
Posted: 09/11/2021 08:38:02
What an interesting image and something many do not see. In terms of the image the Damselflies create interesting lines that lead the eye almost im a zigzag pattern throughout the image. The damselflies are separated nicely from the background. I find the ed leaf in the lower left corner and the cream stem or line in the upper left corner distracting.
Posted: 09/11/2021 08:38:02
I don't know which shot I should be commenting on, but I like the one posted as the original. I really like the curve and the composition. Plus there there is a real nature story shown here that gives the image a bit of real charactor. The nice background works to bring out the detain in the wings and make this interesting. This would be a good image to enter in a contest. Posted: 09/19/2021 18:53:35
Sorry for the confusion. The photo I originally submitted shows several damselflies on a sycamore leaf. It shows damselflies laying eggs on the leaf, with the males attached to their necks, watching to keep other males away. Thanks for the comments on the "original". Posted: 09/19/2021 20:52:53
I relly like the image posted as "original." It is very sharp for the two damselflies and the bokeh is just right. The other one is challenging to figure where my eye is supposed to rest. Some of the damselflies are sharp and some are not. Some we see in profile, but others are head on. Posted: 09/20/2021 09:08:08
Yes, the image posted as "original" is technically better, but the other image is more interesting to me. It shows a cluster of damselflies, the females all depositing eggs on a single leaf at the edge of a stream. When I look at the image my eye is drawn to the cluster of damselflies. They are at different distances from the camera, so it wouldn't be natural or show the "true" scene if they were all in focus. I agree that the leaf in the corner is a distraction and should be removed. Posted: 09/20/2021 12:46:37
Michael: Thanks very much for the extensive biology lesson on damselflies. Both images are great and technically challenging. A side note - were you one of the winners in the Journal of Wildlife photo contest this year? Posted: 09/23/2021 10:25:11
Thanks for the comment. I think it was last year that I won one of the first contests with an image of a butterfly and pawpaw bloom. Posted: 09/23/2021 15:48:20
Good for you!
Posted: 09/23/2021 16:29:45
Posted: 09/23/2021 16:29:45