Disco dragonfly

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Disco dragonfly

July 27, 2014 by Mike Powell

The light reflecting off the water in the background was really bright, creating these disco ball highlights when I took these shots of a male Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) recently at Green Spring Gardens. Normally I try to avoid distinctive specular highlights, but in this case I decided to embrace them.

Why do I suddenly feel an irresistible urge to watch Saturday Night Fever?

Posted in Art, Dragonflies, Humor, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Portraits, Summer | Tagged Alexandria VA, Blue Dasher, Blue Dasher dragonfly, Canon 50D, disco, disco dragonfly, green spring gardens, Pachydiplax longipennis, specular highlights, Tamron 180mm macro lens | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on July 27, 2014 at 8:35 am | Reply Dan Antion

You can fight that urge with a healthy dose of Led Zeppelin – great photo.
- on July 27, 2014 at 8:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I may have to try that antidote later today. I think I might even still have some Led Zeppelin on vinyl.
  - on July 27, 2014 at 9:39 am Dan Antion
    
    Led Zeppelin on vinyl. You are a lucky man. Oh wait, that was Emerson Lake and Palmer. I think this is turning into a nostalgic music day.
on July 27, 2014 at 8:41 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

Light bouncing off water can do some interesting things. I wonder if that dragonfly could see anything with all that light hitting those big eyes.
on July 27, 2014 at 10:36 am | Reply seedbud

fantastic shot!
on July 27, 2014 at 10:52 am | Reply dianaed2013

Highlights seem to work don’t they – I have learned so much from your macro shots – wonderful colours
- on July 27, 2014 at 12:26 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Shooting macro can be really challenging as differences in lighting and limited depth of field play such a big role. Still, there is something especially rewarding when you get the result your were looking for or, in this case, something cooler than I was initially looking to do.
on July 27, 2014 at 12:13 pm | Reply iseebeautyallaroundbyrobpaine

great photos, the background on these images really are interesting
- on July 27, 2014 at 12:27 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  The background was simply the water of the pond, but the sun was reflecting so strongly off the stuff floating on the surface that it produced the highlights you see.
on July 28, 2014 at 3:26 am | Reply Ed

Or some Jethro Tull perhaps?
Excellent shots..:-)
on July 28, 2014 at 4:43 am | Reply Bruce Ruston

Absolutely stunning
- on July 28, 2014 at 5:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Bruce. I have an “artsy” part of me that really loves to take images like this. I think I enjoy photography so much because it appeals to both my creative and geeky technical sides.
on July 28, 2014 at 4:51 am | Reply Mid Wales Bug Safari 28-7-14 | Bruce Ruston

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on July 28, 2014 at 10:22 am | Reply lovelydeer

beautiful photo!!!