WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY – BIG CYPRESS WMA, FL
This is a photograph of a Halloween Pennant dragonfly taken at Big Cypress National Preserve using a Nikon D90 and Nikkor 60mm lens.
The Halloween Pennant, Celithemis eponina, is a dragonfly found in North America, in the Pennant genus of dragonflies.
The Halloween Pennant has been described as looking very similar to a butterfly. Its wings are orange-yellow in color, though its markings are dark brown, not black as is commonly believed; the entirely orange-yellow wings with dark brown bands are what has given it its Halloween common name and its typical position of being perched at the tip of a weed stalk, waving in the breeze like a pennant contributes to the remainder of its common name. The young has yellow markings, including a stripe on its back, and adult males develop pale red markings, particularly on the face, though females will occasionally get these red markings too. Halloween Pennants are normally between 38 and 42 mm (approx. 1.5 inches) in size. They feed on other insects, and they are able to fly in rain and strong wind. On hot days, it will often shade its thorax using its wings.
Nice capture Alan!
Thank you Charles
Thanks Karen, how have you been? Going Upstate much?
Simply Fantastic photo
Excellent photo. Congratulations on the catch.
Thanx Gary
Simply Fantastic photo
Amazing!
Amazing!
Really nice shot.wow, congrats
Beatiful shot!
🙂
Beautiful picture! I don’t think I have ever seen a dragonfly this color
What camera(s) do you use? btw Great closeup.
Oh, I absolutely love it – the colors and the pattern. Splendid!
Love your wildlife photography.
That is a real handsome dragonfly Alan. Really crisp pic.
LOL I never heard of a handsome dragonfly.. but thank you.
Great dragonfly pic! Beautiful
Dragonflies are my favorite insects. They’re so graceful.
Love this pic. Why is it called a Halloween Pennant?
Lovely, vivid photo of my favorite dragonfly. They seem to be everywhere this summer!
Deb- It’s one of my favorites also!
really like the dragonfly shots. what size macro lens would you suggest. looking at the canon 100mm 2.8
Hi Gary-
Thank you for the compliment. Although I am a Nikon user, I use a Nikkor 60mm 2.8. The Canon 100mm 2.8 is a good lens for macro work.
a million words cannot describe the beauty of this awesome creature.. nice shot.. (:
Great Photo, composition, color, and unique subject!
Thank you kindly Tom
Fantastic closeup Alan
John, much appreciated.
Beautiful photos of nature! 🙂
Mr. Hochman,you should pay a visit in Katavi National Park in Tanzania.I wish you will have much more to discover.Well done for your tiredless activities you are doing which educate the world.
Nice Picture Alan ,you are a very talented photographer ,please take a look at mine on National geographic or on Dream Time
Thank you Robert.
Your every lucky to live in an area that has such wonderful wildlife Alan. Fanatasic photo aswell one of the best I’ve seen here so far.