Eyes of dragon

錐腹蜻 Acisoma panorpoides panorpoides
Canon EOS 7D with EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro

Dragonflies are fierce predators in the insect world. They often sieze preys in mid air. Some dragonflies can fly with dashing speed, with top speed up to 50-60 km/hr, catching flying insects with precise moves. Some are perchers that ambush the pass-by which they follow from a distance visually. All these can only be done with the help of their highly developed compound eyes which in some species... about 30000 ommatidia can be found in each eye. I approached this dragonfly in slow motion (that is why I suggest nature photographers to practise Tai Chi or Yoga), avoided flushing it off with sudden movement. I took the head-on angle to emphasize the eyes, and of course, the smiley face of this photogenic subject.