SEEING “RED”
WARNING! DON’T SCROLL DOWN UNTIL YOU READ THE OPENING NARRATIVE.
Did you scroll down? I think somebody scrolled down. Are you one of those people who feel especially compelled to look at the photo after being asked NOT to? I am! Hmm…
I thought I would stop by the water feature again today in hopes of seeing “Red.” After sitting for a few minutes, I noticed something moving very quickly to and fro. It was beautifully colored in the brightest of reds – sort of a flaming red. He was moving about so quickly, skimming the water as he flew. IT WAS “RED” – the flame skimmer dragonfly I had met a few days earlier (see my post “I Met a Dragonfly Today” from 7/13/10). I was sitting on a rock very close to the plant that seemed to be his favorite perch on my last visit – camera already in hand. He paid no attention at first but then he must have recognized me, because he flew right up to the plant, landing directly in front of me – as if to say, “Good Morning!”
© 2010
See. It has a much better effect after you’ve read the narrative.
But something was very different today – I could just tell. “Red” would sit in front of me for a few moments bobbing his head up and down as if trying to tell me something, then quickly fly away. He would come back, but only stay a moment again. Something seemed wrong. Was he trying to tell me something? After several flights and landings near me, he flew off.
© 2010
But as he was leaving, I could hear his high-pitched, squeaky voice saying something…
© 2010
What was that you said, Red…?? What??
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Photographyfree4all's Blog 
That first shot is in-cred-i-ble. Excellent work.
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Hahaha–you should have run after him. Maybe next time…
These photos are so good. I’ve been trying lily close-ups since your floral post. They’re nowhere near as nice as yours, but they sure are an improvement.
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The first photo is absolutely breathtaking! And even the others… I don’t know how you manage to keep ‘Red’ in focus even though he is no longer near the camera (by that I mean he is tiny, relatively speaking – am I making sense?) or in the centre of the shot.
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The top photo is great. Lovely of him to pose so well for you!
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As much as I hate to simply mime other peoples responses, I’m afraid its inevitable here. That first shot is awesome. The color contrast and BOKEH really make it.
Excellent work.
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I don’t know much about photography but I enjoyed the illustrated story of your encounter with Red!!!!
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Nice pics dude, I also like your storytelling :). Keep it on, I will read you everyday ^_^
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Looks like Red is hooked on posing for the camera. Great shots! I know from experience, they are not easy to photograph.
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Your blog is the first place I’ve seen a red dragonfly. I love it when someone captures a creature I’ve never seen before. Love the red! I bet he was saying “See you tomorrow!”
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I love the first image. Great work.
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Great capture , I never saw a red one like that before.
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Beautiful images. Your story made me think of 2 possible explanations… Maybe Red was trying to get you to follow,to get help for someone in distress, you know, kind of like Lassie did all the time 🙂 or… Did you ever see the original version of the movie “The Fly?” 🙂
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beautiful shots.
i added you to my links on my website/blog i just started.
have some photos up too.
http://www.reverencemedia.com/
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Great image, I havent seen a red dragonfly in Australia, so its fascinating to me. Ours are blue or a dull silver! Great Blog.
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I saw a crimson dragonfly in hong kong but never anything close to it in the states – zny idea what species ‘Red’ is?
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That is so awesome!! We have the blue/green dragon flies and on rare occasions there are yellow and black ones. Great picture and I love the story!
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I believe “Red” to be a Flame Skimmer or sometimes called the Firecracker Skimmer (Libellula Saturata) dragonfly. Thanks your comments.
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The first photo is great…well done!
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🙂 Lovely images again!
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The portrait of Red is great! He does look like he is trying to tell you something. 🙂
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I’m hooked on dragonflies. Nice work!
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He’s awesome!
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The dragon fly photograhs are awesome but that first one blew my mind. great work
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amazing shots and i loved the narrative!! 🙂
top shot is priceless {and no, i didn’t peek!}
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Lovely, “Red” posing for you like that… (~;
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[…] here, here, and here to read the story of […]
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Oh yeah. I think our energy allows/invites some of the other living beings in our ‘world’ to feel safe enough to approach some of us. Red clearly felt safe with you.
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I totally agree with you, 47whitebuffalo. It is wonderful to perceive this when it happens… I’m grateful to a certain Flame dragonfly myself for providing me with some unforgettable lessons (~:
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You have commented on one of my favorite blog series, Crystal. I’m glad you found it and read it. Thanks for stopping by.
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