Large Predator with Prey, Pt. 3 - _TNY_9574
The golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) is one of the largest insects in Sweden. I spotted this particular specimen together with my son on a trip to the Mjällådalen nature reserve near Härnösand, Sweden, and luckily for us it had caught a bumblebee and landed pretty much right in front of us on a leaf to eat it.
I initially took some gradually closer photos of it (including this one) using the Canon 100 mm L IS Macro lens and to my surprise, it didn't fly away and just continued devouring the poor bumblebee (so much was already devoured that I am unable to tell the exact species).
When I considered myself "done" and having gotten the photos I wanted, Daniel however convinced me to switch to the Canon MP-E65mm lens and try for some real closeups. Since it would require me to be minimum 10.1 cm / 4" away from the dragon, I initially refused as I considered it impossible, but he insisted and it turned out he was correct - it kept eating and I got some real closeups (to be posted later on).
This species is the only one in Sweden belonging to the family Cordulegastridae and has a bit of a different face compared to the other species. Also, while the adult only flies for one summer, it has already spent four or five years as a larvae in the water before emerging.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53923749905/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54004240501/
One of the close-ups taken with the MP-E65 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53977871828/
Large Predator with Prey, Pt. 3 - _TNY_9574
The golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) is one of the largest insects in Sweden. I spotted this particular specimen together with my son on a trip to the Mjällådalen nature reserve near Härnösand, Sweden, and luckily for us it had caught a bumblebee and landed pretty much right in front of us on a leaf to eat it.
I initially took some gradually closer photos of it (including this one) using the Canon 100 mm L IS Macro lens and to my surprise, it didn't fly away and just continued devouring the poor bumblebee (so much was already devoured that I am unable to tell the exact species).
When I considered myself "done" and having gotten the photos I wanted, Daniel however convinced me to switch to the Canon MP-E65mm lens and try for some real closeups. Since it would require me to be minimum 10.1 cm / 4" away from the dragon, I initially refused as I considered it impossible, but he insisted and it turned out he was correct - it kept eating and I got some real closeups (to be posted later on).
This species is the only one in Sweden belonging to the family Cordulegastridae and has a bit of a different face compared to the other species. Also, while the adult only flies for one summer, it has already spent four or five years as a larvae in the water before emerging.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53923749905/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54004240501/
One of the close-ups taken with the MP-E65 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53977871828/