Widow Skimmer on Ferns

Image Critiques Macro/Close-up Critiques
1

Widow Skimmer, female.jpg
Widow Skimmer, female.jpg2000×1334 615 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I was watching the frogs in my pond, when something bright darted past. It landed close by in a patch of ferns where it stood out because of it’s color. Turned out to be this female Widow Skimmer. She let me approach carefully to get this 5 shot stack.

Specific Feedback

I’m chuckling about the tiny dead bug that’s stuck on her wing, wondering what it is and how it got there…

Technical Details

R5, 180 mm macro, 1/30 s, f/8, iso 800, tripod.

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1 Like
2

Lovely! Great detail and a wonderful perch! Very nice of her to let you stack to get the detail she deserves!

3

Oh, this is a nice bonus shot, Mark. I love it when something else comes along and poses when I am out shooting something specific. Wonderful details throughout the DF and a lovely perch.

4

Very nice. The only edit that I suggest is to either warm it up slightly with WB or remove the cyan cast which is evident on the fern fronds. Sharpness and comp excellent…Jim

5

Gorgeous image of this Skimmer, Mark. The bug on the end of the wing is priceless.

6

I’m not sure how I missed the tiny little bug on the wing but I’m glad that @Dennis_Plank pointed it out!

7

Great shot Mark. Lucky for you she decided to hang around long enough for the focus stack. That doesn’t happen often. Love how you can see right through the wings, and that one little spider on the right front wing. Nicely done.

8

Beautiful image Mark. Wonderful sharpness throughout on the dragonfly. The patterns of the leaves make for a great scene for this beauty.

9

Hi Mark,

The texture of the ferns is a real plus for this image, and the detail from the focus stack worked out great!

Great lighting and exposure, too!

I think the delicate nature of their wings are highlighted in this image by the level of transparency, the wings almost disappear into the background.

The tiny bug on the wingtip sure is a curious thing but it helps to make this capture even more unique.

Well done, Mark

10

Mark: Been buried with work stuff so I’m late to this party but what a great and serendipitous capture. They say luck happens to the well prepared and it certainly played out for you here. Marvelous work. >=))>