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Photographing Dragonflies
When you are trying to photograph a dragonfly, especially when it has nothing else on its mind other than food, here is a little note that may help you.    Many times, through my own experiences, they take off when I’m still a few feet away.  Other times I can position the camera so close that it fills the frame.  It is just that they like the same hunting spots.  You may approach just as it goes after some prey.  They are vicious hunters and are always waiting for some insect to fly past.  After a minute sometimes only a few seconds, they come back to the same twig or stalk that they were using.  I shouldn’t have to tell you about moving very slowly of course, then take your first picture and creep in a little closer and take another shot.   If your camera is rather quiet you should be able to manage enough shots that you can leave them sitting there. I managed to take a number of shots of these two and then left them in peace.  You can see the slight changes in the positioning of the camera in the shots with the dragonfly on the green leaf.
Common Whitetail, Plathemis Lydia		Yellow-legged Meadowhawk, Sympetrum Vicinum
Striped Meadowhawk, Sympettum pallipes
As mentioned, Dragonflies are great hunters as are damsel flies like this Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum, and usually catch anything that flies by.
Other Photo Tips: Getting Close to Bugs | Vertical vs Horizontal Images | Photographing Small Birds
Dereila Nature Inn Home > Naturalist's Nook > Photo Tips 1
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