# Green Darner in flight **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [July 13, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105 "2021-07-13T16:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/1 "2021-07-13T16:48:32Z")
![_49A8876-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/f/6f4f2e527f9e94769b820e778c29fe48b09b78ce.jpeg) A couple of weeks ago at a local dragonfly pond I had a chance for this guy. Blue Darners are more common here and I was happy to catch a Greenie. Unlike most dragonflies, they hover a lot, then tend to rocket off as soon as you get them in the frame, but once in a while I get lucky. It’s definitely a telephoto thing and if you aren’t pretty close on the focus you can’t even see them. ### Specific Feedback Requested All comments welcome! ### Technical Details Is this a composite: No Canon R5, 100-500 + 2X at 1000, f/14 (wide open), 1/1000, ISO 2000. Tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head with slight drag set. Minimal tonal tweaks in LR, Topaz DeNoise in PS, then a touch of Sharpen. Cropped to 40% of the full frame. ###### ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/2 "2021-07-13T16:53:19Z")
This is really difficult to do. You’ve done a great job with detail body position and color. I had an orange Darner that kept returning to a chair about 10 feet from my position but it would never take a proper position was always facing away from me. When one is that close, depth of field is an issue. It takes a lot of practice to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/3 "2021-07-13T17:26:46Z")
Wow this is amazing. I tried getting one the other day and fuggetaboudit. Not gonna happen. Too zippy. And the ones I saw didn’t seem to hover too long. Uncooperative bugs. Congrats on getting this. I LOVE the folded legs. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/4 "2021-07-13T18:05:21Z")
Thanks @David_Schoen and @Kris_Smith – I’m definitely channeling my inner Annie Oakley for these, and it’s surprising that with practice I can get pretty good at the initial aim. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/5 "2021-07-13T18:38:06Z")
Diane, you have accomplished what I hope to be able to do, but thus far, have come up short. They are difficult to capture in flight. I need to get more time out there trying, for sure. Something like this would take much patience and practice. Great shot. ---
**Author:** ![terryb](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/terryb/32/39625_2.png) [@terryb](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/terryb)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/6 "2021-07-13T19:08:18Z")
Wow, this is an almost impossible shot. I find it difficult to get large raptors in the frame and in focus, much less something this diminutive. Really well done. I have never seen a dragonfly with folded legs. Looks like a Sikorsky s-76 helicopter in flight! Bravo! ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/7 "2021-07-13T19:27:42Z")
Thanks guys! This is really easier than you might think – just takes some practice, both at aim and at getting pre-focus close enough you can see them. I’ve been catching them for a few years with a range of older bodies and lenses but the latest AF and a fast burst mode is a help. I’ll put up a few more tomorrow. For some reason the position of the legs always reminds me of the gesture in Rodin’s “The Thinker.” ---
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/8 "2021-07-14T01:09:54Z")
Amazing Photo Diane. The sharp focus in the head was excellent. I love the way the legs are nicely folded as well ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Muller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_muller/32/78096_2.png) [@Mark\_Muller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Muller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/9 "2021-07-14T02:47:34Z")
Fantastic capture. They are so dang hard to keep in the frame, only when they slow down or hover, and that only lasts a moment! Congrats!!! ---
**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/green-darner-in-flight/23105/10 "2021-07-14T22:58:22Z")
Wow, just wow. (Apparently I have to have 20 characters to post) 😀