Monday 2 June 2014

The Emperors 'Old' Clothes

Whilst out yesterday photographing an emerging Common Darter and Black tailed Skimmer I started looking through the reeds for any exuvia, the larval case the dragonfly leaves behind after emerging. It wasn't long until I noticed a large exuvia clinging on to the reeds so with care, I was able to remove it and have a good look. By it size, 5cm in length I could see it was an Emperor Dragonfly exuvia and how impressive it is. The detail is amazing and even more impressive that such a big dragonfly emerges from only a small area on the thorax, pumps up its body in size and then leaves a complete case behind. There is a lot I have to learn about these fascinating insects, not only seeing and photographing the adults but the life they lead under the water for a few years in some case. I will post some shots later in the week of the Common Darter and Black tailed Skimmer exuvia.




Emperor Dragonfly Exuvia

9 comments:

  1. I used to have one of those in a jar Marc, I found it on an iris stem in my pond, god knows what I did with it though!!

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  2. It doesn't look like the Emperors old clothes, only joking. It is fantastic Marc, how long will you keep it?

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    1. I'm going to try to find something I can keep them in. Thats something I will do now, where does it all end!

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  3. An all round well handled subject, including some brilliant photography of these 'old clothes'....Remarkable,and well done Marc.

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  4. Superb photos !!! As in the previous series.
    Congrats,
    JR

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    1. Many thanks JR. I can see me in the reeds again soon trying to find more from different species.

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  5. Great entry so well photographed, we don't see enough exuviae on Dragonworld!!

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