Okay, the title is a little misleading as I really have no idea how to train a dragonfly – these guys just seem happy to pose for the camera for some reason. They sometimes even reposition themselves closer. Perhaps they see beautiful dragonflies reflected in the lens and are curious? Anyway, I have taken so many images I thought I would post a few more.
(There is no dragonfly in the above picture, obviously)
© Karen McRae, 2013
draw and shoot 
Amazing! I love it!
Thank you, they are pretty charming characters.
I love this. So glad he posed for you! 🙂
Yes, not shy, strangely. Thank you!
I love the picture with no dragonfly in it. Awesome photographs you got here.
That’s a little flower from my garden, I’m glad you like it.
Thanks very much, Kay.
Amazing shades of color. Love the softness. 😉
Hi Cynthia, thank you!
Wonderful series, Karen. They are really characterful little creatures. But your choices are what make the shots. I so love the dynamic way you frame your subjects. Like a collision of science, poetry and art. Have to admit you had me trying to find the fly in the second shot before I read your text.
Thanks, Richard. They do have a lot of character, I’m glad you enjoy them. Thank you for you the lovely comments!
Yes, I guess the ‘no dragonfly’ picture is slightly confusing. ; )
Wow! These photographs are your best ever Karen. Just amazing.
Hey, thank you Allen! I’m glad you think so.
Really truly lovely Karen, the sense of excitement and colour is invigorating!
Much thanks, Cath! : )
These are brilliant! I love the detail on the wings, and how you’ve framed the shots to get just the right color combo in the background.
Thank you, Jolene. I was fortunate that they were perching on lovely coloured branches. I’m glad you like them.
Fantastic little guys! I’ve had the same experience with exhibitionist dragonflies:)
They would be completely thrilled with this unparalleled immortalization! It’s a terrible shame that they will never know.
Ha! I think they are exhibitionists. : )
Thanks, Elena.
He sure looks happy in his head shot! (#8 & 9)
They do seem to have a lot of expression!
Congratulations!!! I have nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. The link to your blog is tagged in my post! 🙂 Have a great day!
http://sarahlindalaw.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Thank you, Sarah. That’s very kind of you. : )
Those wings! Such tiny delicate creatures and so full of character. Your colouring is divine!
Thanks, Patti. They do have amazing wings. So delicate but efficient!
i’ve run out of adjectives. really cool
: )
Like like like like like like like!
That’s a lot of ‘like’! : )
Much thanks for that, Trish.
🙂 That’s a lot of dragonflies.
Outstanding images!
Much appreciated, Phil!
Beautiful colors, beautiful shots. I have never seen them up that close. It appears there is a little dark spot in that enormous eye and now I am thinking they follow your movement. Next: a praying mantis. Now they really do follow your movements by turning their heads. Thanks, Karen.
They were very cutely tilting their wee heads when I got up close, maybe admiring themselves in the lens reflection…
I will let you know if I find a praying mantis!
thanks for your comments, Judy.
Your images like this make me yearn for a proper camera and a macro lens.
I love the pinks and greens in this set, Karen,
Oh, a macro lens is endlessly fun if you are able to get one. Apparently you can get little macro adaptions for the iphone, I don’t know if they would work on other phones…
Your work is so wonderfully creative, Ashley. It lacks nothing!
Thanks for your feedback.
Thank you so much, Karen. I really appreciate your words, they are a great encouragement to me. And I’m smiling. Thank you.
Gosh they really were close weren’t they!
and the photos are , as ever, brilliant ! I actually particularly like the non dragonfly photo 🙂
Thank you, Helen. Yes, I was very much invading their space…
Wow! These are amazing! I love them! 🙂 To see the dragonfly so close and all those details. The fact that you can see theirs wings with all those details! I don’t have words to describe how amazed I am!
I’m glad you like these, thank you! I was amazed also at how close they allowed me to be.
We have a workshop on Dragonflies and Damselflies here in a couple of weeks which I have booked myself on to. Hope I can manage to get as good shots as you as we’ll as finding out more about them.
I will have to check in on your blog. I hope you are lucky to get some cooperative dragonflies, they are such a beautiful subject. Thanks for your comments.
Your dragonflies are very photogenic Karen! I love the repeating shapes, with the wings echoing the petals. And it could only be summer with those colours. You are very skilled at making these beautiful images.
Thanks, Anna. Yes, the most cooperative dragonflies I’ve come across. : )
Great close ups. Very well done.
Thank you!
Exquisite! I think you need to claim the skill of taming dragonflies! Adds a touch of fantasy and intrigue to your amazing photos 🙂
You know, I was thinking of coming up with a fantasy story on how to tame your dragonfly but I guess I’m not that creative… : )
Thanks very much, madoqua!
Besides being gorgeous photographs they do seem to be posing in front of the mirror 🙂 one even making funny faces!
They are quite the characters, aren’t they?
What did you ever tell this little guy?!!! [talking about 8 and 9] You must have made quite a deal with him[?]!!! Pink and green in perfect harmony…
🙂
The fine art of dragonfly whispering … or it could be all the mosquitoes I was wearing?
Thanks for your comment, Marina! : )
Wonderful colors and poses and segments on the wings…. ::sighs happily::
Yay, a happy sigh! Thanks, Moofie.
Fantastic Photos, of course the dragon flys, but also the beautiful colours! 🙂
Thank you!
Wow!! This is amazing!! Getting up so close!! Love the colours!! Well done Karen!! These are exquisite!! 🙂 **
I was lucky they were so cooperative, thank you!
So delicate and beautiful.
Thank you, Kate.
Now you are just in love with them! 🙂 frolicky and lyrical! I hope they inspire your dreams! 🙂
I confess to being charmed by the dragonflies, yes. : )
It’s always a pleasure to enter your world.
I’m glad you think so, thanks very much.
So beautiful Karen. The wings…they are amazing in these photos 🙂
They have amazing wings for sure. Thank you, Jocelyne.
How gorgeous and delicate! I love the close up of the wings especially. I have a thing for dragonflies they are quite meaningful to me so these are lovely to see 🙂
I’m glad you like these, Emily. Thanks very much. : )
As always great photos by you, Karen. The use of limited of depth of field and colours makes these pictures stand out – everyone of them.
Hi Otto, thank you! I really appreciate your feedback and encouragement.
I think I’m going to try this challenge.
How sweet of this little creature. 🙂
Great photos, Karen!
so now I finally have a soft spot for dragonflies.
WOW! Love the closeout shots and the beautiful colors!
These are the best photos I’ve ever seen in my blog reading, they are so amazing.
Gosh, thanks so very much. I was lucky to have some very cooperative and lovely subjects. : )
I’m glad you like them!
Fantastic photo set!!!!!!!
Pedro.
Amazing. Especially because you make it sound easy… Great set!
I am bihind reading posts, and just found this. Really wonderful images, great work with dragonfly. Impressive, Karen! 🙂
Thank you, Bente! They were quite cooperative for some reason. : )
Absolutely brilliant, Karen! And not to sound contrite, but I agree w/ everyone’s comments above.