Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Blue Dragonfly

Detail of a cyanotype ca. 1910 by Bertha Jacques (1863-1941), on exhibit at NYPL. Photographed through glass, so a poor reproduction of the blue.

mthew

5 responses to “Blue Dragonfly”

  1. elwnyc

    The dragonfly must have been perched for a while on grass with little breeze to get such a clear view. I hadn’t realized that cameras in 1910 could take that quick a photo. I still struggle to get a non-blurry picture if the dragonfly isn’t on a nice solid twig.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      These cyanotypes were made in frames, with glass covers, so the dragonfly was probably dead.

      Reply
  2. Ellen

    This is so beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Slow Nature Fast City

    Beautiful. I want to go and see this exhibition.

    Reply
  4. Sherry Felix

    I will check this out. Thanks.

    Reply

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