Two silhouettes on a shade

July 2, 2020 by Mike Powell

Some folks are a bit shocked when I post photos of mating insects, so here is a more discreet look at a damselfly couple in tandem that I encountered last week at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge. Somehow I can’t help but think of the old doo wop song “Silhouettes,” which recounts the story of a man who sees two silhouettes on a shade. He thinks his girlfriend is kissing another guy, only to find out that he is at the wrong house.

I may have heard the original version by The Rays that came out in 1957, but suspect I actually recall the cover version done by Herman’s Hermits that came out in 1965. In case you have never heard the song or are simply feeling nostalgic, here is a link to YouTube for the original version and a link to the cover by Herman’s Hermits.

Posted in Art, damselfly, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, damselflies, Fort Belvoir VA, Herman's Hermits, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, mating damselflies, silhouettes, Tamron 180mm, The Rays | 32 Comments

32 Responses

on July 2, 2020 at 8:20 am | Reply shoreacres

Of course I remember that song, and it’s a perfect fit for your photo. The long, narrow leaf emphasizes the vertical aspect of the photo; it’s one of those perfect backgrounds.
- on July 2, 2020 at 8:53 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I think that almost all of us who are of “a certain age” remember that song–I just wonder if members of younger generations are familiar with it. 🙂
on July 2, 2020 at 8:31 am | Reply Ann Parziale

That’s an amazing photo! Thank you once again
- on July 2, 2020 at 8:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ann. When the pair of damselflies flew up into the trees, I almost gave up on them. Fortunately I was able to track them to their new location and was delighted that I could see them through the leaf on which they were perched.
on July 2, 2020 at 9:03 am | Reply Dan Antion

Great photos, but now that song is stuck in my head 😦
on July 2, 2020 at 9:04 am | Reply Dan Antion

Photo – I know there’s only one – I got carried away.
- on July 2, 2020 at 9:16 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  …but there are two silhouettes on the shade. There are a lot worse songs that you could have stuck in your head, Dan.
  - on July 2, 2020 at 9:31 am Dan Antion
    
    That’s true, Mike. I wasn’t complaining – you did a great job.
on July 2, 2020 at 9:31 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Mike, I love your posts the words and photos. I chuckled at you kind mention of ” a more discreet look”🐞🤣
- on July 2, 2020 at 9:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Suzette. As you may have noticed, I try to have a little fun when I write my posts. Most often they are a direct reflection of how I am feeling at the moment when I sit down and start typing away.
on July 2, 2020 at 10:11 am | Reply kenneturner

Excellent capture!
- on July 2, 2020 at 10:12 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, kenne. I absolutely love shadows and silhouettes and this was a fun one to photograph.
on July 2, 2020 at 11:44 am | Reply Michael Scandling

Oh what a lovely couple they made…
on July 2, 2020 at 11:47 am | Reply Laura Denise

What a wonderful photo opportunity and, of course, lovely capture! 🙂 I never heard of the song, but listened to both versions and enjoyed it very much. 🙂
- on July 2, 2020 at 2:14 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  You look to be way too young to have heard it when it was popular, Laura. I am glad you liked it. 🙂
  - on July 2, 2020 at 2:28 pm Laura Denise
    
    I’m 47, but an old soul 😉 and very much like the decades of those songs. 😊
on July 2, 2020 at 1:54 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

What a great photo!
- on July 2, 2020 at 2:15 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura. Silhouettes can be so much fun.
on July 2, 2020 at 5:45 pm | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I remember that song and this photo fits it perfectly!
- on July 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. The connection immediately came to my mind. I think that the music of our childhood stays with us, even as we are getting old.
  - on July 2, 2020 at 7:21 pm New Hampshire Garden Solutions
    
    Yes!
on July 2, 2020 at 8:09 pm | Reply Ms. Liz

Awesome photo, that’s really sweet 🙂
- on July 2, 2020 at 10:12 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Liz.
on July 2, 2020 at 10:07 pm | Reply sv-anui.com

Now that is an unusual shot of the dragonflies!
- on July 2, 2020 at 10:15 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I am always seeking for new, creative ways to photograph my subjects, Chris, and was thrilled when this opportunity presented itself to me.
on July 3, 2020 at 4:02 am | Reply krikitarts

I remember the original very well. Thanks for the flashback–and the shadows!
on July 3, 2020 at 5:35 am | Reply mitzybricker

Fun capture, Mike!

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- on July 3, 2020 at 6:10 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Photography doesn’t have to be serious all of the time. 🙂
  - on July 9, 2020 at 6:34 am mitzybricker
    
    For sure!
on July 3, 2020 at 6:18 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

Cool capture, Mike! I didn’t remember that oldy, and have just listened to both versions from your links — great match of the photo to the song 😀.
😀
- on July 3, 2020 at 7:31 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  You are obviously too young to remember such oldies, Ellen. 🙂
  - on July 4, 2020 at 10:32 am Ellen Jennings
    
    🙂 Certainly their first time around