Saturday 22 April 2017

Newly Emerged Azure Damselfly

With a little bit of warm sunshine this afternoon and the winds light and temperature around fourteen degrees celsius, I had a drive over to Shuart near Reculver to look for Hairy Dragonflies. I spent about an hour walking along the sheltered sunny rides where plenty of butterflies were on the wing and plenty of insect life could be seen but despite a good search, I couldn't find any but hopefully I can return soon a bit earlier in the day to have a look for them. After returning home about 4pm, I went out to look at the pond and could see a damselfly had already emerged and was next to its exuviae pumping up its wings and abdomen. I went and got the camera and spent a while sitting at the pond taking a few photos and as the colour started to come through, I could see checking the pronotum that it was an Azure Damselfly. A nice way to spend an afternoon and always a pleasure to obtain a few photos. With a few species now on the wing, I hope to get out weather permitting to enjoy the spectacle but with work in the week, I will have to hope that the weekends deliver the warm sunny weather for me to get out. 







 'Teneral' Azure Damselfly (male)

3 comments:

  1. Beautiful Azure Damselfly, I love it. Tell me please, what will they do the weather, will they be alright?

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    1. Many thanks Bob. Hopefully this cold spell won't be too damaging. It's been pretty warm in east Kent lately so hopefully they will fair better. I think they can tolerate a little cold but for too long could be fatal.

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  2. More wonderful obesrvations and images, Marc. I'm still waiting for things to start happening up here. May go out to check a place or two this afternoon, but it's clouded over at the moment - again!

    Best wishes - - Richard

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