Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Dragonfly the Predator

I happened to have spotted a dragonfly catching a housefly, and then followed it all the way until nothing else left to eat. This predator, though likes to stand still in the air occasionally, flies at a high speed and easily out-flies their preys and gives them no second chance at all. But my pictures tell me a different story later, this predator actually ate another dragonfly species.

It had its lunch on my tomato tree which unfortunately became a battlefield in this day. One has to out-fly another in the air, and one needs to out-run another on the ground too.

This is an Eastern Pondhawk which has black stripes on the abdomen and white appendages at the tip of its tail. Remember its green face, keep this critter which killed and ate its own species in mind. I am not quite happy with this predator. You see, it left behind the pairs of wings that never taste like potato chips finally.

But at the same time, I had been scanned by those thousands tiny eyes that were hidden in its compound eyes. It would surely remember me far more better than I do.

23 comments:

wenn said...

wow, such amazing macro shot of the dragonfly!

Loshini said...

He looks quite fearsome, rainfield!

George said...

You got a couple of fantastic macros of this dragonfly. I hope you'll be on the lookout for him in case he returns.

betchai said...

oh, this is so cute, can't help but keep on looking at the dragonfly, he looks so strong and mighty in his position.

Ginnymo said...

Yikes! He's a scary looking thing! Looks like something from outer space..Ha! Ha! You sure got some good shots of it though!! I don't think I'd want to come too close to him. His face is scary..and if he eats his own kind....

pixelshots said...

i love macro-shots. especially of flowers and insects. me too have some dragon flies captured with my cellphone camera in macro mode published in my photo blog

elephant pics

Joanne Olivieri said...

He is scary looking and I don't know how you got so close to take a macro of him. I would have been very scared. You are brave. And, wings as potato chips, I will think of that now each time I eat chips :D

eileeninmd said...

Awesome macro photo. Thanks for id-in the Eastern Pondhawk. I would have never thought of this little guy as being a predator. Love dyour post.

LifeRamblings said...

dragonflies sure make great subjects for photography.

rainfield61 said...

wenn:
It depends very much on luck in order to have these pictures.
I was at the right time and right place in this day.

Loshini:
Things changed under macro shot. Those look fierce may become gentle, or vice versa.
That's why I will never put myself under macro view.

George:
It is not welcomed though come back with "potato chips".

betchai:
He is the King in his kingdom. He must looks very strong and mighty.

Ginnymo:
I would rather say it is one of the Power Rangers. Green Ranger!!

pixelshots:
You must have some of the great shots. Macro shots are entertaining.

Poetic Shutterbug:
You won't be scared off and are very safe in front of your PC. But please do not always think of that wings each time you eat chips. I do not think it will be a good experience.

eileeninmd:
There are many more surprises by the Nature. The more we go in, the more we see.

Life Ramblings:
I am waiting for my chance to have captured their mating action in the air. I saw once, but failed to get.
I always running after this "love is in the air".

The Retired One said...

Fantastic photos of him!

Anonymous said...

Dragonflies are beautiful insects. I read about these creatures needing the light (sunlight) in order to fly.

Mike said...

Rainfields excellent photographs, were you practicing with the Macro?

Harshi said...

This is an excellent macro Rain! Dragonflies are so common over here but never seen a one of this type.

RIP lil dragonfly. *sigh* I never knew they could be cannibals too. So scaryyyy.. -__-

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I didn't know dragon flies eat flies. When we were young, some boys catch them and pull of their wings. But I won't touch them because my Ah Kung says you catch a skin disease when you catch it. Silly boys.

Anonymous said...

I can see the wings from the other dragonfly, and your macro shots are just amazing.

I was hoping you would know my wordless post..

Bengbeng said...

an excellent macro shot.. dramatic circumstances too

Out on the prairie said...

A favorite to photograph and a real challenge.

Diane AZ said...

He looks smart in his striped outfit!

I thought I commented the other day on this post, but I don't see it. Maybe I forgot or left it on someone else's blog. Oh well, now that I'm a grandma I can get away with such things. :)

Kirigalpoththa said...

They always look fearsome in macros

Rick (Ratty) said...

You got some very good pictures of this dragonfly. It looks like an insect tiger. I guess it behaves somewhat like a tiger too.

Shutterchitecture said...

amazing creatures. makes me appreciate nature more. :)

AVCr8teur said...

A beautiful creature, but I would not want to encounter this scary monster. Just seeing one in your picture is enough for me.