Wednesday 28 August 2013

An Awesome Ruler

The Emperor Dragonfly   Anax imperator
 

 
An easily identified dragonfly by the blue abdomen with black line. It's the largest European dragonfly, and I was lucky to actually get a still shot, as it is very fast flying, and it led me a merry dance as I followed it around my garden:) It finally came to rest on top of the climbers on the pátio.

48 comments:

Mike Attwood said...

Hasn't it been a good year for dragonflies. Lovely shots yet to be added to my list.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

What a beautiful dragonfly. We don't see them often in my neck of the woods. Wonderful captures :)

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful, sharp colors!

Nancy said...

The Emperor is an impressive guy with his tail of blue and body of green...I have always been amazed at the delicacy of their wings....Awesome shot as always...

S. Etole said...

The colors are definitely eye-catching. Great shots.

Terra said...

I admire the beauty of dragonflies and your photos. How good that you found a passion for photography when painting was not possible for you.

Rita Vaselli said...

These dragonflies look like jewels with their extraordinary colors ... Dragonflys have inspired many artists in the Art Nouveau.
A pleasure to look at this extraordinary flight stopped by you, with such mastery!

Rohrerbot said...

Most excellent closeups!!! The dragonflies right now are out of this world. So many different colors!

Breathtaking said...

Mike Attwood
Thank you Mike:) Yes, it certainly has been a good year for dragonflies. All these shots were taken just in my garden, and I don't remember seeing so many.

Breathtaking said...

Optimistic Existentialist
Thank you Keith:)I haven't seen many myself, but when they appear it's magical.

Breathtaking said...

TexWisGirl
The blue and green colours of the Emperor are two of my favourite colours.

Breathtaking said...

Nancy
Thank you Nancy:)It is a beautiful specimen, and the delicacy of their wings is truely awesome.

Len said...

A dragonfly found its way into our conservatory and must have died as I found its body on our return from holiday .I gave it to my son-in-law who is a school teacher so he can show it to his infant class. They are doing a survey of"mini-beasts"!
LEN

Breathtaking said...

S. Etole
Thank you! As the largest European dragonfly, size alone would stop you in your tracks, but you are right, it's colour is eye catching.

Breathtaking said...

Terra
Hello Terra:)
Thank you for your generous comment.

I actually still paint albeit not as much as I used to, and on a smaller scale, but instead of oils use pastels which is a more practical médium to work with.

Thank you for passing by:)

Breathtaking said...

Rita Vaselli
Thank you Rita dear for such a generous comment:)

Yes, the dragonfly has been a favourite with artists and craftmen and women for generations. I have a few peices of jewelry sporting dragonflies which I love to wear.

Breathtaking said...

Chris Rohrer
Thank you Chris:)I don't know much about dragonflies in the USA and Mexico but you must see some very colourful exotic ones.

Breathtaking said...

Len
Oh, what a sad story!!Poor dragonfly! We get them inside the house all the time. I can't tell you haw many rescues there has been.Only yesterday a greenfinch flew inside, we didn't notice, left and locked the door, and were away for a couple of hours only to discover it on our return. This story has a happy ending though, as within seconds it was freed

Joke (Joke's Camera) said...

Gorgeous pictures, Sonjia. The colours are fabulous too. You had to be patient but the results are fantastic. I have never had one before my lens. Lucky you. Greetings, Joke

Giga said...

Ważka ma piękne kolory i śliczne zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam.
Dragonfly has beautiful colors and beautiful images. Yours.

Breathtaking said...

Joke (Jokes Camera)
Thank you Joke:)It was quite an escapade, as it flew around for ages:)) I felt it was my lucky day when the beauty alighted at last!

Breathtaking said...

Giga
Thank you Giga:)It's an eye catching dragonfly for sure with it's blue and green colouring.

Unknown said...

Amazing shots - colourful and with great clarity. Even the sky cooperated

Breathtaking said...

Stiletto ElsieXie

Thank you very much:)The last photo is the one I like best because of the blue sky.

Bob Bushell said...

Awesime is right word, they are superb. Love 'em.

Breathtaking said...

Bob Bushell
This is only my second sighting of the Emperor this year, but when it happens,it's a Wow moment!!

Patrycja (photoopassion) said...

It's awesome.
Greetings.

Patricia & Daniel
+I follow you

Breathtaking said...

Patrycja
Thank you! It is, an impressive dragonfly in size and colour.

Thank you also for following my blog:)

Silenciosamente ouvindo... said...

Obrigada pela sua visita e comentário no meu blogue.
Vir aqui é encontrar fotografias
de alta qualidade.
Desejo que esteja bem.
Bom fim de semana.
Bj.
Irene Alves

Unknown said...

WOW!! What an awesome dragonfly shot. They are all perfect photos.

Hugs~

Breathtaking said...

Silenciosament ouvindo
Ola Irene:)
Your blog is always so varied and interesting, and it was a pleasure to visit you. Thank you for your kind words, and I hope you also have a good weekend.
Beijinhos.

Breathtaking said...

Linda R
Thank you Linda:)
Hugs right back to you:))

Isa said...

Toujours de belles photos, c'est un plaisir de les regarder ! bravo !!

Breathtaking said...

Isa
Merci Beaucoup Isa.:)

Maria said...

I like the colors and the framing of the dragonfly, Portugal must be such a beautiful place.

Breathtaking said...

Maria
Thank you Maria:)Portugal is a lovely country,with a beautiful coast line, and suprisingly green for a warm climate.





Anonymous said...

Hi Breathtaking!

In spite of its beautiful colours, it definitely has a "intimidating look" about him. Perhaps that`s why it has earned himself the title of emperor...

And as for this knee of mine, things are beginning to look brighter now.Thank you for your kind words, and have a pleasant week end.

Vitor

Breathtaking said...

Good morning Vitor

Perhaps it's impressive size combined with those large all seeing eyes can look intimidating:)Certainly this large powerful flier must look most intimidating to other insects.Butterflies haven't got a chance against a hunting Emperor in flight.

I'm so pleased that your knee is improving Vitor:)

Enjoy your Sunday.








Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Excelentes macros de belas Libélulas....
Cumprimentos

ioan moldovan said...

Gorgeous dragonflies! You captured them in all their splendor!
Congratulations!
Many greetings!

Stuart Price said...

I'm not really up on dragonflies but the ones we get here are usually reddish. Absolutely millions of them at this time of year.........

Breathtaking said...

Fernando Santos.(Chana)
Obrigado Chana!:))
Um bom Domingo!

Breathtaking said...

Stuart Price
It's been a good year for all kinds of dragonflies.Seen loads of red ones here also.

How about some pictures of them on your blog Stuart.I'm sure they will be appreciated:)

Breathtaking said...

ioan moldovan
Thank you Ioan:)They are truely mesmerizing insects,... a delight to photograph.

Enjoy your Sunday, and thank you for your visit:)

Anonymous said...

Like your blog and your photos. The Dragonflies are so interesting to study and try to get on the memorycard. I will be back.
Kind regards
from
M

Breathtaking said...

M
Hello M! Thank you for your generous comment:)

I see you have become my latest follower, many thanks:)

Brown Eyes said...

For it to be faster you manage to catch it in a elegant position. kisses

Breathtaking said...

Mary Brown
It was an amazing peice of luck that it chose to rest in that place!
Hugs and kisses.

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