The art of disguise - South Africa

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:24 pm

Many insects are so well disguised that a person can walk right passed them without knowing they are there.

This pintailed dragonfly knows just where to land so that predators cannot see him. His colours blend in perfectly with the rocks.

Closer....

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:41 pm

The contrasting is very good in these, as are the details and sharpness of the images. A very good example of how some insects can blend in to their environment to escape predators or to be one. Some really nice and interesting shots here Joan.

Erland R.N. · Post by **Erland R.N.** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:28 pm

Great photos you managed. All pictures I've seen of this species has been similar, perched on rocks. It's a male Don-Dwala, Bradinopyga cornuta. Ive never seen so fine pictures of this species

Erland

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:46 pm

Thank you for the wonderful comment Erland. I appreciate you giving me the name as I could not find it in my book.

I consider myself very lucky to get these as they are my first decent dragonfly pictures.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:01 am

That is impressive camoflage, and well photographed here! Good job.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:24 am

Thanks for your kind words Mike.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:04 am

An excellent pair of photos Joan. The second one is very sharp with great detail. Great looking patterns on that fellow. Good eyes for spotting him (Erland did say a male

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JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:50 am

Thanks for the kind words Doug.

nephiliim · Post by **nephiliim** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:59 am

Wonderfull shot there Joan. The crop shows what to me looks like a few "empty" squares in the lower wings near the abdomen... is it true that my eyes don't deceive me? LOL

Really awesome images

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:53 am

Thanks for the lovely comment nephiliim. I went and looked at an enlargemnt of the picture, but there are no empty spaces that I can see.

cactuspic · Post by **cactuspic** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:40 pm

Well done Joan. You capture the insect in its disguise very well

Irwin

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:49 pm

I appreciate the nice comment Irwin.