Regular readers of my blog remember when I coined the term “Odonart©” and created an “Odonart© Portfolio.”
I just coined a new term: “Exuviart©.” Exuviart© is a concatenation of two words: exuvia; and art. The following photographs are the first additions to the Exuviart© wing of my Odonart© Portfolio.
Unpublished Photo
An Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (Perithemis tenera) exuvia, from the Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), was collected from the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.
Whenever possible, I like to collect exuviae along with some of the vegetation that was the site for emergence. The vegetation helps to show scale. In this case, the small specimen is approximately 1.4 cm (~0.6″) in length and approximately 0.6 cm (~0.2″) in maximum width. I like the way the desiccated leaf retained its color and gained a velvety texture.
07 JUL 2016 | Potomac River | Eastern Amberwing exuvia
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding photograph: Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR; Canon EF100mm f/2.8 Macro lens plus Raynox DCR-250 close-up filter; Canon 580EX II Speedlite; Canon 580EX Speedlite; and a coiled six-foot Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Canon Cameras. The specimen was staged on a piece of white plastic (12″ square, matte finish).
Published Photos
A Common Green Darner dragonfly (Anax junius) exuvia, from the Family Aeshnidae (Darners), was collected at Hidden Pond, Meadowood Recreation Area (MRA), Fairfax County, Virginia USA.
21 JUN 2016 | MRA | Common Green Darner exuvia (dorsal-lateral)
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding photograph: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens (set for manual focus); Canon 580EX II external flash, off-camera, in manual mode; Canon 580EX external flash, off-camera, in manual mode; and a Yongnuo YN-622C-TX E-TTL II Wireless Flash Controller for Canon plus a two-pack of Yongnuo YN-622C II E-TTL Wireless Flash Transceivers for Canon.
A Cobra Clubtail dragonfly (Gomphurus vastus) exuvia, from the Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), was collected at Riverbend Park with permission from park staff.
16 MAY 2016 | Riverbend Park | Cobra Clubtail exuvia (face-head)
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding photograph: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens (set for manual focus) plus a Kenko 20mm macro automatic extension tube and Raynox DCR-250 close-up filter; Canon 580EX II external flash, off-camera, in manual mode; Canon 580EX external flash, off-camera, in manual mode; and a Yongnuo YN-622C-TX E-TTL II Wireless Flash Controller for Canon plus a two-pack of Yongnuo YN-622C II E-TTL Wireless Flash Transceivers for Canon.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Anax junius, Cobra Clubtail dragonfly, Common Green Darner dragonfly, Eastern Amberwing dragonfly, emergence, exuvia, Exuviart, Fairfax County, Family Aeshnidae (Darners), Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), gear talk, Gomphurus vastus, Odonart, Perithemis tenera, Potomac River, Virginia
walter sanford's photoblog 
August 22, 2017 at 6:19 am |
Exquisite!
August 22, 2017 at 9:44 am |
You’re too kind, Sheldon! My goal is to shoot photo sets that can be used to illustrate how to identify odonate exuviae. It’s a pleasant surprise whenever one of the photos rises to the level of “exuviart!”
August 22, 2017 at 1:04 pm |
These are fabulous images, Walter!
August 22, 2017 at 3:57 pm |
Thanks, Pete! Some people think insects are creepy; I think photos like these have universal appeal.