A Stag ,A Drag & and an Emerald

A cloudy but warming Sunday afternoon and a visit to the nearby Ramsdown Nature Reserve, which proved enjoyable as there were several dragonflies about, including the Golden-ringed Dragonfly shown in this post.  Others that I saw were some Scarce Chasers, an Emperor and damselflies.

The Stag, of the post title is a Lesser Stag Beetle that I saw at the edge of the heather.  As the beetle was in surroundings that would of made a larger depth of field shot messy in the background, coupled with the light being poor (and I had traveled light without a flash gun) where it was I decided to stack the beetle handheld at a wide aperture (F4).  The images, I then later stacked in Photoshop CC.  I am fairly pleased with the resulting image.

11 Shot Stack of a Lesser Stag Beetle
11 Shot Stack of a Lesser Stag Beetle

11 Shot Stack of a Lesser Stag Beetle. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  11 Shots at ISO 400 F4 1/100 in Natural Light.

As mentioned the Drag – is a Dragonfly – the aforementioned Golden-ringed.  Both these images have a slight defect – the first having a grass blade slightly in the foreground, and the closer one cuts the wing tips off.  Something to try to put right next time I get to take one.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Golden-ringed Dragonfly.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/200 in Natural Light.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly closer up.
Golden-ringed Dragonfly closer up.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly closer up.  Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/200 in Natural Light.

And finally, I also saw and shot the first Emerald Damselfly that I’ve seen this year.

Emerald Damselfly
Emerald Damselfly

Emerald Damselfly. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F4.5 1/160 in Natural Light.

Map of Location

Off road parking is available here.

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Chris

I've been taking macro photography from 2004. I use both Canon film and digital cameras.

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