When will i get a super sharp one of these I do not know.
Well this is an attempt, what do you think?
1.
2.

[Marc Langille]

Hi Taff,

They are difficult to photograph - try in the early AM when the morning air is cool - less activity at that time. They are predators, so they tend to be very active.

No cropping - perhaps 12 inches away:

Photo Dimensions 4672 x 3104

exif

Taken on a very windy day, so this fellow was staying put. It took me at least 30-60 minutes to get this close.

Cheers,
Marc

[Mike Cash]

Taken on a very windy day, so this fellow was staying put. It took me at least 30-60 minutes to get this close.

Cheers,
Marc

I just opened my car door, stepped out, and there he was perched atop the rubber molding along the top of the door. I never realized until now just how easy I had it.

[axl]

Taff, they do tend to return to the same spot. Find the spot, prefocus on it (it can help) then settle down and wait for it to return.
BTW if you try that just before dark, take a sleeping bag.

I tried this...
does work but in 45 mins I only got like 5 decent shots, none of them too close (I was using Tamron 70-300 @300 aprox 1m away). But they came out quite well. If I'll dig them out today I'll share them...

[gawan]

Wonderful thread Taff, you inspired a whole bunch of guys to show their great and best! Thanks, excellent images here!

[OrenMc]

Practice and patience as so many have said. I probably just got lucky. I couldn't get the AF to lock in on this one so I went to manual and just tried to anticipate his moves. Glad he stuck around long enough to get this one. Still not as sharp as I would have liked. I would love to be able to do some of the macros that have been posted ( ie. Marc and Mike ). Great shots!
Sigma 100-300 f/4



Have fun shooting!!!!!

[Arjay Bee]

A couple from me:
Sometimes they are kind of pre-occupied and will allow you to stray closer.


This one was taken using the "stay near where subject last seen sitting approach":


She was happy to adjust her pose for me as she knew how beautiful she was:


All taken with the DL2, KA 55 1.8, on the first and DA16-45 on nos 2&3 hand held.
Cheers Arjay

I just love chasing dragonflies!

K10D, FA* 200mm

[Taff]

I so love pictures of dragonflies, I am sooooo glad I started this thread

[Mark2100]

I had to add one too.
I took about six shots of this beast, and not one came out with everything in focus. It's f/7.1, iso 800, 1/3200sec. I probably should have stopped down a little more

It's been cropped and resized. No other pp

[cupic]

So difficult but rewarding when it all comes together


cheers