Dragonflies in flight - not with a macro lens

[AlphaWorld]

I've looked at other shots of dragonflies in flight and thought "gee, that looks difficult". Today, in very bright sunlight, over water, I had a chance to try it for myself.

I was wrong. It's not "difficult" - it's much worse I think I'd describe it as "multiple expletives hard".

Here are some the least bad examples of what I shot today. All of these were shot using the Sony 50-150mm f/2 GM - not a macro lens, and not a lens with any integral stabilisation. But I don't think stabilisation would help - these are at 1/2000 and faster. Using an A9 III in Insect Recognition mode - pre the 4.0 update (which I applied when I got home).

Forgive me if these are not all dragonflies - I am no expert in species, and I will not be surprised to learn that my photos aren't good enough for even an expert to determine what they are!

All of these images are presented at 100% - I have cropped in to isolate our subjects.

First one was hovering iover a puddle - that's what sucked me into trying my hand at this:

Shot at f/2, 1/4000, ISO 250, 150mm

Shot at f/2, 1/6400. ISO 250, 150mm

Now shot down in a wetland over a murky pond:
I don' know if this is mating or predation!

Shot at f/2, 1/2000. ISO 250, 137mm - I think I should re-process this one, and drop the exposure a bit.

One more over the same pond:

Shot at f/2, 1/2000, ISO400, with the exposure and whites dropped a bit in post to eliminate glare.

I must say, I'm surprised I got anything - the camera did an amazing job of AF on such tiny subjects. I am tempted to try again after updating to the latest firmware.

But I am absolutely certain that the people who make a habit of this must have masses of patience and serious skills!

 

[Peter K]

This is mating. Male grabs the female. In this tandem position they fly to a place where they can form a mating wheel en the female can deposit het egs.
Sorry, my biological English is not that great, but I guess it's clear what I mean.
Btw, the first two pictures are not that bad. Dragonflies in flight are so hard to get on picture!

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Well caught. They are not easy at all, but some pecies are easier than others because they hover in place, most of the hawkers for example (except Brown, which almost never sit, let alone hover)

 

[Unframed Dave]

Patience is important and there's no getting round that.

There are a few things you can do to tip the scales in your favour.

1. Don't bother on a dull day. You need the light to make the colours pop and give you the settings needed.

2. Watch. They are somewhat creatures of habit. They will come back if you stay.

3. Chose an area without distraction in the back, if your camera has a choice, it will pick the reeds. I can't comment on insect recognition, I use centre spot and aim for the eyes.

4. Stop down a bit, f2 is making life difficult for you.

5. A zoom lens is helpful, generally I use the 200-600. Start at the wider end and once you've found the dragon, zoom in.

6. Practice.

Nice effort BTW.

 

[AlphaWorld]

I really appreciate the tips - I'm new to this, and your advice will encourage to try more!