This shot of a Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly, Orthetrum coerulescens, was taken at 1:1 magnification with the lens a few centimetres from the animal and with me lying on a boardwalk looking onto the bog.
People often ask how we get so close to get this kind of shot as they always put dragonflies to flight whenever they try and observe them.
Well, actually, its not that tricky...most of the time, as long as you have a bit of patience and pick your species.
Anyone who knows anything much about dragonflies will know how hard it is to get perched shots of many of the hawker species...these are the big, active flyers. The truth is they spend most of the time on the wing hunting and patrolling territory, with very rare rest breaks anywhere you can reach them. If you are lucky you may find one on marginal vegetation that has just emerged from its larval stage and its getting ready to fly, or laying eggs at the water surface.
You generally have to select the darter and chaser species if you want easier prey. These tend to fly in short bursts to see off rivals, find mates or hunt, then return time after time to one of several nearby perches.
When you initially approach, the dragonfly will usually be startled enough to fly but will soon settle again, probably right next to you. I find that by remaining there and creeping very slowly in you can slide your lens along a fence rail or get low and get closer and closer as the dragonfly becomes less bothered by you. If you move closer, try and approach end-on rather than move across its field of view, stay low and don't cast a shadow on it. Take a few shots as you close in because animals as large as dragonflies look great filling the frame with the whole animal in view, rather than all at maximum magnification.
All chaser and darter species we have here in southern England can be approached like this.
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