05 September 2013

a spectacular dragonfly and blog update

Generally, this blog has evolved over the years into becoming 'my place' to share record-shots of birds.  Loving the anticipation and challenge in trying to capture a bird in-camera in the first instance, that moment is also complimented for me, in knowing others enjoy seeing those snapshots too.

While my photo equipment isn't especially sophisticated (see "Using Sony Cybershot HX300 link,  in right-hand column), it is reasonably compact and lightweight to carry, and to me that's a big plus.  

The downside though is that at full-zoom, things can get a little shaky to keep under control.  To me, a tripod is more a hindrance than an advantage for bird photographs, so I choose to go it alone without. 

Back home I weed out the dud shots, and upload a few souveniers to create a new blog post, where your comments  are always enjoyed and appreciated. 

So, while Snap Happy Birding may indicate to someone new subscribing, that it’s  “birds only” know that  I will also share sometimes, botanical and various location/scenes, under the same banner.

Since I had thought for a short while, that I would start a separate blog site for "other than birding" photos– my somewhat fickle nature has decided it’s best to keep them all here afterall.  My contacts in cyberspace have become a lovely network of friends and I know you appreciate that when I see something I like, I also think, oh...I must upload it to my blog and share it with you too.

I’ll bring across the few photos from that other blog that I want to have sitting in here, being the recent walk at Norah Head to see the beautiful wildflowers starting.

Since this has become one of my wordy posts for a change, I’ll just add the single photo of the beautiful dragonfly that had been sent to me from Maggie Skeel.  You will have also seen Maggie's photos on the Brahminy Kite post.


Maggie had photographed this super dragonfly, at Emerald Creek in Nthn Qld. recently.  I'm hoping someone might know what specie it is.  

Later notation: : this is a tropical damselfly known as a rockmaster (Diphlebia sp.)


21 comments:

  1. I know the kind it is... it is the kind that I can never get to sit still for me. Sorry... it is a lovely shot. I enjoy anything that you put in your blog Carole!

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  2. Do whatever is easiest for you. Sometimes having multiple blogs gets to be too much work. Even if your primary subjects are birds, you can still show other photos. Your scenery and flower shots are gorgeous, too, and I'm sure people will like seeing them all in one place.

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  3. Great photo.... sorry i don't know the name.

    Greetings, Joop

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  4. Beautiful picture of this dragonfly, Carole.
    The name I do not know,sorry.
    Greetings Irma

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  5. It sure is a pretty dragonfly . I used to have two blogs one was for memes only but I found it too much work. I also believe that most people only have time to read one blog from each friend. Variety also makes the blog more interesting .

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  6. Carole, having two blogs is difficult trying to keep up. I have my Travel blog and I make irregular post. I do love all your birds but I will also enjoy all your photos. The dragonfly is beautiful. Well done!

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  7. That is a beautiful specimen Carole, I thought of starting another blog too but I think it is easier to manage just one. We love your bird shots, but any photo, whether it be bird, animal, travel or lifestyle associated with the outdoors will appeal to most of your followers. Cheers, keep up the good work.

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  8. Posting to 2 blogs is tough, but I am just glad that you will still be here!!!

    This photograph is amazing. Beautifully done!!

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  9. Oh, I would love to see a blue dragonfly. I haven't seen any kind of dragonfly this summer, but I know people who live near water have that experience. As one who tries to keep two blogs...it's difficult. Of course, they involve different activities, too...and I go in spurts of crafting in between the obsession with photography.

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  10. yay! glad you'll keep them all in one blog. i love seeing everything you share - not just birds. :)

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  11. Variety is the spice of life they say Carole ~ so I'm sure we'll all enjoy seeing a bit of whatever takes your fancy, along with the birds of course! I am troubled by tripods too, though I know I should try harder to like them. Love that dragonfly but no idea on name I'm afraid.

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  12. I don't know what kind it is, but it certainly is a beauty!!

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  13. thanks to each of you for your comments and glad you're o.k. with my change of heart and deciding to use this space for all that takes my eye that I want to share. It wasn't a matter of being difficult using two separate blogs but more-so, I realized it'd taken several years to build up my reliable readers and it was then going to create a division, to start anew. I wanted those of you I've grown to know so well, seeing your names popup so often, to see what I want to share..............and so it will be; thanks again

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  14. I'll follow your blog - one or two - such a treat!!! LOVE the dragonfly!!!!
    Hugs,
    Jan

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  15. Hi Carole

    Beutifuly shot Dragonfly. I believe you have made the correct decision to have 1 blog. I have discovered I can hardly keep up with following someone on 1 blog let a lone 2 and I do not want to miss your posts. I started blogging 6months ago and at the time I thought I would be putting only birds on, however as you will know I seem to have deviated many times from that. Interestingly many people seem to have liked that, I am sure the purist haven't but this blog is also for me as a way of keeping a record of things I do and so I have come to terms with 1 blog and 1 camera len. Have a great weekend adn just keeping doing what you are doing and we will all enoy it. Thanks.

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  16. Hi there - I know what keeping tow blogs is like - but I choose to keep them separate because they are so different in form - although the fact that one has almost 3 times the follows of the other is frustrating!

    I think that the dragonfly is male Tropical Rockmaster - but I am more than willing to be shown to be wrong!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne =

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  17. Hi Carole, its a beautiful Dragonfly named the
    Sapphire Rockmaster
    (Diphlebia coerulescens) and its a male.
    As there is so much to enjoy and photograph in nature you may as well include it in your blog rather than just birds.

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  18. thanks everyone for your comments and approvals and also to Stewart and then Roy for both offering a ID name for the dragonfly. How to differentiate between these two names/species? When I looked up images of both, they appear identical. I'm not adjudicating on name now :)!! I'm just happy that you two know your dragonflies so well.

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  19. LOVE the common name for my dragonfly..The Tropical Sapphire Rockmaster? so appropriate because of the sapphire blue colour and the fact that they are indeed rock masters. Every time I have seen them, they have been perching on rocks in the middle of streams. I have only seen them in FNQ though - there is a blue dragonfly and a red velvety species on my farm at Nymboida NSW but not like these guys. Much more normal looking wings. So I guess that's where the tropical part of the name must come in.

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  20. Ahhhh .... you had the answer though I could see. I had the question with pictures already deposited with a connoisseur of Dragonflies but this can be no more.

    What a special dragonfly. Do I really have never seen!

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thanks for visiting Snap Happy Birding, and for leaving a comment; I can still see them. Now both my blogs are resting in idle mode. It was time to give other things priority, even though I miss my regular blogging and the feedback that came my way over the years. Take care.