One of the things I do besides make bad puns is nature photography. Since everything I thought of to say that was any good has already been covered, here’s a link to one of my favorite dragonfly pictures. It’s perched atop some salvia flowers in our yard (or Garden for No 6).
Thanks for the comments on the picture everyone. The overall pose of that dragonfly with the rear pointed upwards is called obelisking and is common in most kinds of dragonflies. The human-perceived smile is also found as the expression in lots of kinds of dragonflies. So the only trick was catching the “wave” which was transient. Luckily digital photography allows everyone to go full National Geographic on a subject and take a boatload of shots rapidly. I have an ever so slightly blurrier shot with a better wave.The real effort was laying on the ground and creeping forward on my belly to get close enough for the shot. There is a fair series of smaller images as I did that.
@Beau — I know in some places dragonflies are called mosquito hawks, but in these parts, “mosquito hawk”, or “skeeter eater”, means a CRANE FLY .
I’ve read that crane flies don’t eat mosquitoes, or in fact anything at all….
But years ago, I watched a horde of them vacuum up a roomful of tiny midges.
Anybody know why, if they weren’t lunch?
The funny thing is, in England and some southern parts of the US, our skeeter eater, the crane fly, is called a “daddy longlegs”, while our Daddy longlegs is a tall, frail, skinny spider.
@Larry, I’ll say it too — nice picture!
And @Only — what do you mean — no net?
The forum and the whole cartoon are all on the net, so I don’t think they can fall very far!
________
Late note — I tried to post the above a couple of hours ago, and the page wouldn’t open….
Now it’s probably too late for most of you. Sigh….
margueritem over 12 years ago
Love the drawing.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 12 years ago
Otto and No 6 — me too!
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 12 years ago
Meanwhile…. ladybugs on the wings of fierce dragonflies, on Hackberry Marsh……
Will they be rescued by a brave knightcrawler on horsefly back??
J Short over 12 years ago
It’s not that daring. They have their own built in parachutes.
Larry Miller Premium Member over 12 years ago
One of the things I do besides make bad puns is nature photography. Since everything I thought of to say that was any good has already been covered, here’s a link to one of my favorite dragonfly pictures. It’s perched atop some salvia flowers in our yard (or Garden for No 6).
hwcrescent over 12 years ago
@Larry-and how did you make him grin? OT does anybody else call those things “mosquito hawks”?
Tue Elung-Jensen over 12 years ago
Not so daring when you find out they can fly themself :)
Larry Miller Premium Member over 12 years ago
Thanks for the comments on the picture everyone. The overall pose of that dragonfly with the rear pointed upwards is called obelisking and is common in most kinds of dragonflies. The human-perceived smile is also found as the expression in lots of kinds of dragonflies. So the only trick was catching the “wave” which was transient. Luckily digital photography allows everyone to go full National Geographic on a subject and take a boatload of shots rapidly. I have an ever so slightly blurrier shot with a better wave.The real effort was laying on the ground and creeping forward on my belly to get close enough for the shot. There is a fair series of smaller images as I did that.
iced tea over 12 years ago
That’s totally incredible!
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 12 years ago
@Beau — I know in some places dragonflies are called mosquito hawks, but in these parts, “mosquito hawk”, or “skeeter eater”, means a CRANE FLY .
I’ve read that crane flies don’t eat mosquitoes, or in fact anything at all….
But years ago, I watched a horde of them vacuum up a roomful of tiny midges.
Anybody know why, if they weren’t lunch?
The funny thing is, in England and some southern parts of the US, our skeeter eater, the crane fly, is called a “daddy longlegs”, while our Daddy longlegs is a tall, frail, skinny spider.
@Larry, I’ll say it too — nice picture!
And @Only — what do you mean — no net?
The forum and the whole cartoon are all on the net, so I don’t think they can fall very far!
________
Late note — I tried to post the above a couple of hours ago, and the page wouldn’t open….
Now it’s probably too late for most of you. Sigh….