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slt
19th November 2009, 07:50 PM
... or "here be dragons" if you didn't learn Latin in school (I didn't either ... had to look that up ;))

Anyway, on the subject, Water Dragons are fairly common along the eastern seaboard, but those buggers never sit long enough to get a good shot at them ... until now that is. Came across this specimen during a stroll along the Manly-Spit walk the other weekend, and initially thought someone had placed a plastic toy on a rock along the path :eek:. I was only carrying the camera with the 24-70mm, so the chances of getting a decent shot in were pretty remote to start with, so initially I didn't even bother. But as a walked closer it remained on the rock (which was right on the path), so I though I better start shooting. That's normally the moment they disappear ... but no. So I kept shooting, and walking forward with the camera on my eye, until I was probably less than a metre away ... close enough for the f/8 that I had dialled in to be no longer deep enough. The beastie only moved when someone else came down the other way. In retrospect I should probably have used f/10, but I'm rather pleased with the outcome anyway :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/11/489.jpg

Nikon D700 with Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8 and ISO200.

Excuse the size, but less that 1280 wide doesn't do it justice.

PSi
20th November 2009, 12:51 AM
Nice!
Now I have to go buy that lens, after convincing myself I don't need it. Else, carry the 70-200 everywhere.

Chops
20th November 2009, 01:26 AM
Top shot,,, he's an awesome looking speciman,, :cool: excellent colouring on him,,

slt
20th November 2009, 05:24 AM
Thanks guys! The colouring is what made me think that it was a plastic toy initially. Have never seen one this intense. Don't know enough about them really, but just wondering if that's its breeding colour.

Here's another shot of it after it started to move. Wasn't small either, probably close to a metre long.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/11/464.jpg

JDNSW
20th November 2009, 07:01 AM
Actually in latin the verb is at the end of the sentence, and the verb "to be" is often omitted.

Hence "hic dracones sunt" or simply "hic dracones".

We have these - or a very close relative. One day when I had my grandchildren living with me found one caught in the front gate netting - had to cut the netting to free it, and it was not appreciative.

John

Bigbjorn
20th November 2009, 11:43 AM
Actually in latin the verb is at the end of the sentence, and the verb "to be" is often omitted.

Hence "hic dracones sunt" or simply "hic dracones".

We have these - or a very close relative. One day when I had my grandchildren living with me found one caught in the front gate netting - had to cut the netting to free it, and it was not appreciative.

John

I wonder if the dragon pictured is related to my high school Latin teacher? I thoroughly disliked her and the feeling was reciprocated.

"Conjugate the verb, Hjelm"
"Haven't any idea, have you, Hjelm"
"No, Miss Gormley"
"See me at three o'clock outside the teacher's room, Hjelm"

Somehow I managed to pass Latin in spite of disliking the subject and the teacher.

loanrangie
20th November 2009, 01:00 PM
Great shot, sharp with vibrant colours- he is a good looking specimen.

Sprint
20th November 2009, 09:35 PM
excellent photo!