Drifting amongst Dragonflies
Setting the scene with this photo you will have to use your imagination to picture the canoe (slightly muddy from previous weeding excursions) with occupant paddling slowly through the water lilies on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The same morning I had spent some time on the ponds checking for and removing some weeds and I was so amazed at the Dragonfly activity that I decided to return in the afternoon with camera. As we were experiencing occasional wind gusts it did make photography quite a challenge but it was so lovely drifting quietly with a myriad species flying about. I watched many laying eggs but alas no satisfactory pictorial record.
Resting on the tip of a waterlily flower bud this Palemouth (Brachydiplax denticauda) was perfectly posed in the sunlight.
Many other species rested on the waterlily pads ………
like this Chalky Percher (Diplacodes trivialis)
and what I hope I have identified correctly as
a Fiery Skimmer (Orthetrum villosovittatum)
and to finish this post – the striking colours of a male damselfly known as Blue Slim (Aciagrion fragile)
Barbara
Allen
It sounds magical – but then I am of the opinion that drifting on still water in the sunshine is beautiful anywhere.
And I think you’re right about that Mick!
Beautiful photos, obviously from a lovely day spent in the pond.
Your “Pale-mouth” image is perfect.
Cheers
Denis
Thanks Denis, it was great fun trying ‘just one more shot’ to see if I could improve on past efforts. I don’t know what caused the flurry of activity, but I did wonder if it was a last breeding frenzy before the cooler winter weather set in.