Having collected a few Hairy Dragonfly nymphs last weekend, I spent an evening photographing a 25mm female in my indoor tank. This individual was well marked and quite light in colour unlike most of them which are normally dark brown to almost black. This could be to either the surroundings it lives in or perhaps it hadn't long gone through a moult and is still in the process of darkening up. Either way, the markings and colour made for some lovely images of this nymph. Positioning a single bit of weed near the front of the glass produced the goods and she spent most of the time moving around this providing me with a few nice angles. Occasionally she would move down to a few leaves on the base of the tank which provided a nice contrast with the subject. It was also nice to be able to use my hand lens and obtain some stunning views of the detail on the nymph which you would normally never see. With a few images obtained, I released her into the pond where with luck, she will grow in size rapidly and emerge hopefully this year and fingers crossed, we may be reunited as I photograph her changing from a nymph into a stunning dragonfly.
Well, that is Hairy Dragonfly Nymph, you do it so proud Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. Not long until hopefully she transforms into a stunning dragonfly.
DeleteMore to impress from you Marc, all very interesting.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Pete.
Many thanks Pete. Appreciate your visit and comment.
DeleteI would love to see this Nymph transform into a Hairy Dragonfly,or to just see one this year,can't wait.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant captures,and post Marc.
John.
Many thanks John. It's an amazing sight to witness and one that I very much look forward to seeing again this year.
DeleteThose eyes are wonderful, Marc. I wish you all the best with this Hairy. Your work with dragons and damsels has got me wishing that I hadn't transformed my koi pond into a garden a few years back (the maintenance of the pond was taking up too much time and there were too many problems occurring). I am now wishing that I'd just made it shallower (it was 2 metres deep) and 'naturalised' it!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - Richard
Many thanks Richard. I only have a small pond which I made a few years ago. I have just let nature take over. I have a few frogs in there as well as plenty of pond skaters later during the year. Last year we had plenty of tadpoles which helped feed the Hawker nymphs. It also provided me with the chance to photograph them emerging. Although not the biggest pond, I haven't regretted it so far.
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