Every year at around this time I try to get to grips with dragonflies and every year I fail. There are only 39 resident species of this insect (with 13 migrants) to get my head around, but I just can`t seem to get the I.D. features in my thick skull.
One dragonfly that I can confidently identify though is the magnificent beast in the photos above, the Emperor. Britain`s bulkiest dragonfly, measuring a whopping 78mm, a regal insect of warm summer`s evenings that can be found in large ponds, lakes and flooded gravel pits and sometimes ditches and canals. It is widespread in southern Britain and where found is locally abundant. The site where I managed to get the above digiscoped shots is Maxey gravel pits, a site known for its breeding dragonflies as well as its birds. There are several other species of this insect present, some of which I will endeavour to photograph and identify over time.
Wow, I love the colors on this dragonfly. Beautiful photos and a great sighting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen. The colours are very vivid on this dragonfly, the fact that the sun is shining helps show up the colurs!
DeleteJ
Super shots of the 'giant' Emperor. I watched several yesterday but always on the wing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Frank,
DeleteThere were at least 5 present at this site, although only 3 `perched`, the others were constantly flying.
J
Excellent shots John, a very colourful fella.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian,
DeleteYes, the sunlight shows the colours off to their full effect.
J
Hi John...the Emperor has a beautiful regal coat of rich blue and green...nice photo's of the good looking chap!! : }
ReplyDeleteYou don't have a thick skull ..it something that is going around! We all seem to have a touch of it !!
Grace
Thank you Grace,
DeleteI don`t know about it going around, I just have a thick skull! ;)
J
Dragonflies are magical. One flew overhead tonight as we were sitting outside, seemed to me as if it were nature's helicopter. PS: Over my way, I did manage snap of a bluebird fledge with the mother nearby. Very far off, so not a sharp image, but I it was nice to catch, nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteThey are magical beast and also very weird at the same time!
I look forward to seeing the shot, I am sure it is great! No excuses, I expect to see it on your blog! ;)
J
That is a beautiful dragonfly! Love the color! I am always challenged while trying to photograph dragonflies!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy,
DeleteChallenging isn`t the word, I don`t even try when they are flying, but then again I don`t really have the set-up in the first place!
J
Hello John. These beautiful insects are often to be seen at The Cotswolds Water Park where there are great walks around the lakes. Spectacular!
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza,
DeleteAt this to=ime of year, if it s warm and sunny you should be able to catch a glimpse of dragonflies when you are close to water. Having said that, being warm and sunny this year is a bit of a rarity!
J
A real beauty. Dragonflies are incredible creatures. As with so much in Nature though, not easy to photograph... but you have managed it wonderfully well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan,
DeleteYes, that is the problem with these creatures and others, isn`t it! They just won`t pose for you, obviously camera shy! ;)
J
Great shots John. There is a definite lack of dragons and damsels round here at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThank you John,
DeleteThere is a lack of them here too, this `lovely` summer that we are experiencing isn`t helping!
J
Great shots John.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the ID's. I have the same problem every year lol
Thanks Keith,
DeleteIt just doesn`t seem to stick in my head, in one ear and out the other!
J
Thats a great set John. One species I have never seen yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy, there were a few at Maxey when I took these, I saw at least 5 males.
DeleteJ
Your Emperor Darners are very similar to our Common Green Darners (Anax junius) here in the States. In this part of the country, the Green Darners are the largest dragonfly we have.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing your dragonfly and butterfly photos to get a glimpse of things we do not have over here.
Hi David, thank you.
DeleteI must admit that I was not familiar with the Common Green Darner, but have looked it up and seen how similar it is to the Emperor. The things that you get over there fascinate me as well, amazing how different things are over the pond! ;)
J
I'd love to meet one of these! Great shots. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Omi,
DeleteThey are very imposing creatures, almost like a small bird when seen in flight!
J