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This Darner Dragonfly had just emerged from the larva attached to the rock. It's wet wings were shimmering in the morning sun as they dried before taking off. Taken on the John Day River in Oregon.
#1 http://i66.tinypic.com/e62b95.jpg
#2 http://i65.tinypic.com/34gx8k5.jpg
#3 Ready for take-off http://i68.tinypic.com/2u4ox2a.jpg
A very fortunate capture Tim. I've often wondered how the long abdomen fits in the the lava husk.
Nice series.
What a timely shot! Were you there when it emerged? It would have been nice to see the process...
Good series of something many never see Tim.
Unfortunately, the low light level in first two have led to a very slow shutter speed (1/30s) for the magnification, which has caused problems with subject movement and/or camera shake when studied closely.
There's even some subject movement (of tail tip) in the last one, shot at 1/640s, it must have still been quivering that to warm up I guess.
You have chosen good apertures for DoF, but personally; I would have used a higher ISO, say up to 400, perhaps even 800 on your D3100 (and higher still if using a more recent camera with improved sensor), enabling a higher shutter speed and/or even more DoF (narrower aperture).
Never-the-less, you have captured a good opportunity very well and we can see much detail.
Well done, Dave
Cool capture.
Ouch...before reading i thought that to be another independent creature... it is surprising to know its larva is something like a wingless cockroach !!!! very rare indeed :)