Halloween Pennant dragonfly–the second time

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Halloween Pennant dragonfly–the second time

August 25, 2012 by Mike Powell

I remember my excitement the first time I saw a really cool dragonfly a few months ago that turned out to be a Halloween Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis eponina). He had a very distinctive look with brown spots and stripes on his wings and orange veins. That first time I was happy to get any shot of the dragonfly.

Today I think that I encountered a Halloween Pennant for a second time. I was still very much taken by his looks but I had the presence of mind to circle about a bit, trying to get a good angle for the shot. The shot below is the one that I like the best of those that I took.

As I think about it, I go through this cycle a lot. I’m so in awe and wonder when I encounter something new that photography is not my first priority. Instead I am living the experience. Maybe my photos the first time are not the best, but that’s ok for me, because living my life is more important than merely recording it in my photos. That may be why I like to go back to places a second time and then focus a bit more on getting good shots.

Halloween Pennant dragonfly (Click for higher resolution view)

Posted in Bugs, Flowers, Gardening, Insects, Nature, Photography | Tagged Canon 55-250mm zoom lens, Canon Rebel XT, Celithemis eponina, dragonfly, Halloween Pennant dragonfly | 15 Comments

15 Responses

on August 25, 2012 at 1:52 am | Reply krikitarts

Beautiful shot, Mike. Dragonflies are so amazing. When they’re perched like this, they are like fighter jets on an aircraft carrier, waiting for the order to fly and intercept–and just barely holding their energy in check.
on August 25, 2012 at 2:36 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

Excellent photo-one of the best dragonfy shots I’ve seen this summer, and I’ve seen a lot of them. Have you ever read the Dragonfly woman’s blog? http://thedragonflywoman.com/ Lots of good information!
on August 26, 2012 at 12:40 am | Reply Sue

What a beauty! Thanks for the tip New Hampshire Gardener; I’m going to look up that book.
- on August 26, 2012 at 12:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sue. Are you staying out West for a while?
on August 26, 2012 at 5:42 pm | Reply Another Perspective Photography

I’ve been accused of “missing the moment” in my effort to photograph it… it’s OK to experience it WITHOUT a picture too….sigh… but I’m glad you got a second shot at this one!
on August 27, 2012 at 7:07 am | Reply lylekrahn

Great photo.
- on August 27, 2012 at 12:03 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. This is one of the coolest looking dragonflies that I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph well. I often have trouble with harsh reflections off the shiny surfaces of the dragonflies, but it was mostly overcast the day I took this shot.
on August 27, 2012 at 4:59 pm | Reply deakildiko

lovely!
- on August 27, 2012 at 5:11 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. It’s a rare type for me to see so I was happy to get a good shot of it.
on August 27, 2012 at 5:04 pm | Reply jojoakesson

I think it´s a very nice capture, dragonflies are amazing little creature. But I often find them tricky to get good photos of 🙂
- on August 27, 2012 at 5:17 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  All I can recommend is patience. I’ve managed to get some pretty good shots (and lots of bad ones) including small mating dragonflies!
on August 31, 2012 at 12:34 am | Reply sketchjay

Just beautiful!!!
on July 7, 2013 at 8:55 pm | Reply One year later | Mike Powell

[…] Halloween Pennant Dragonfly-the second time […]
on July 12, 2013 at 7:16 am | Reply Delicate dragonfly | Mike Powell

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[…] but I was pretty certain that this was a different kind of dragonfly. (For comparison, check out my posting on the Halloween Pennant from August 2012 with one of the best photos that I have taken of any […]