Thursday 12 July 2018

Early Season Willow Fix

With a Willow Emerald Damselfly emerging a few nights ago from my garden pond, I wanted to make sure that I took the damselfly back to Nethergong where I collected the nymph to release it so it could stand the best chance of continuing the cycle of life for this species. I spent a couple of hours walking along the stream where in cloudy conditions, I was not surprised to see any at all, but a quick netting session again at least provided me with a few Willow Emerald and Emerald Damselfly nymphs in the shallows preparing to emerge soon. With the conditions not ideal for flying, I released the male Willow Emerald Damselfly on to a stick on the edge of the reeds where I then spent a while taking a number of photos knowing it was unlikely to fly off. Despite the lack of sunshine, I surprisingly ended up with a few pleasing efforts of this superb damselfly showing some of the characteristics required to identify this species. Hopefully in a few weeks there will be a good number flying and I will be able to spend time in their company studying, learning and photographing this still rare damselfly. Roll on the Willow season.
 



 

Willow Emerald Damselfy (Chalcolestes viridis) Teneral Male


10 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Many thanks Bob. Looking forward to a few early morning sunny sessions once they've coloured up.

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    1. Many thanks Bob. Hopefully the start of many aspects of this damselflies life to come over the next few months.

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  3. A big well done Marc,for taking them back Home,the image results are amazing,well worth collecting and returning back to original pond.
    John.

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    1. Many thanks John. Always nice to release where I found them and feels the right thing to do. They've allowed me to delve into their secret lives. It's the least I can.

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  4. What a splendid start you've had to the Willow season - and excellently captured too. You've got me looking into the possibility of staying at Nethergong next month! Best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Many thanks Richard. Yes, a pleasing start indeed. I would hope by next weekend that im seeing them regularly. Well worth a trip down to see them if you have the time.

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  5. Beautiful series of images. Congrats..

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