With a day full of warm sunshine and light winds, it seemed almost perfect for dragonfly hunting so after work I took a drive over to Westbere Lakes and took a walk around the area. I spent an hour walking up to the river and then a few hundred yards west where there were a good number of damselflies on the wing. There were a few hundred Variable and Blue tailed Damselflies with lesser numbers of Azure Damselfly, a few Large Red Damselflies were seen and a handful of Banded Demoiselle fluttered butterfly like over the river and reeds. As I walked along the river I caught sight of a Broad bodied Chaser and after it landed, I slowly stalked it where then a flash of orange flew by me and landed on a branch of an over hanging tree. I could see it was my first Scarce Chaser of the year, an immature male which like the names suggests, is nationally Scarce but can appear in very good numbers on the Westbere complex. I slowly made my way towards it and although it was in the shelter of an overhanging tree, there was luckily enough sun catching it to show off those superb bright colours. I managed to get quite close and take a few pleasing shots of this species, again a busy background but i'm sure I will get cleaner backrounds as they perch up in the weeks ahead. As I returned I saw 3 Hairy Dragonflies flying low in the ditches. A pleasant session in lovely conditions for once and great to see the dragonflies and damselflies building up in numbers, the camera will be busy!
Scarce Chaser (immature male)
I thought to myself that I haven't seen drogonfly, then, one just popped up. I didn't know what it was, I think it was Hairy Dragonfly, is that it Marc?
ReplyDeleteYou have the most expensive, but it is Marc Heath in charge!
Blinding summers day Marc! That Scarce chaser is a real beauty, not seen one of them yet. Some nice images of it too.
ReplyDeleteif you come over to me for the White legs / Beautiful Dems ( or if your very lucky that Downy Emerald! ) it will have to be mid June as I'm off to wales with that Barnsey bloke for the first 2 weeks of june :-)
I spoke to Dave last night. He tried to persuade me to come along but its the week i'm back to work otherwise I would have loved to tag along. I'm happy to come down in mid June, both species will still be around won't they down your way?
DeleteLovely shots Marc. No sign of Scarce Chaser in my hot-spot as far as I know. I will have to look again!!
ReplyDeleteCheers Bob. Iv'e waited a few months but weather permitting, looks like the camera might be in for quite a bit of action in the next few weeks/months.
DeleteSounds like a trip down to Westbere will be on the cards soon Marc. Oh nice shots as usual.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mike, everything seems a little later this year down there. I would give them a week or 2 before the numbers hopefully build up.
DeleteHello Marc Heath, I found your blog via Noushka here blog. I am impressed with your captures and became a follower of your blog. I love to follow the seasons and try to capture this with my camera. So also dragonflies, etc etc.
ReplyDeleteYour captures are stunning and so clear and crispy it is a joy to watch.
Regards,
Roos
Many thanks for following and the comment, much appreciated.
DeleteSuper photos Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Ian.
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