The Flight Challenge

With the summer holidays finally here and some sunshine forecast for yesterday (Wednesday) I thought I would have another trip up to Seasalter to see whether I could get any flight shots of the Southern Migrant Hawkers that are around at the moment. Arriving at 10:30, it was already quite warm with a light breeze and it wasn't long until I found the first of 5 Southern Migrant Hawkers flying up and down one of the dried up ditches. I usually spent some time watching them first and try to find out how high they are flying, where they are pausing to hover and the background colour to the shots. With some information gathered, I set about taking a number of images in flight. As you can imagine, it takes a bit of luck to quickly get the target, in the view finder, manually focus and fire off a few shots. This all has to happen in seconds. It can be very frustrating but with patience and some field craft, some acceptable shots can be taken. I found a few more flying around and spent a while taking a few more photos in the morning sunshine. I also observed a pair in tandem flying down into the reeds to egg lay. Also seen were c6 Scarce Emerald Damselfly, 1 Norfolk Hawker, 1 Brown Hawker, 1 Migrant Hawker and quite a few Ruddy Darter. I then went on to Oare Marshes where along the East flood ditches, I found 4 Southern Migrant Hawker but photo opportunities were zero as most places were overgrown to get any clear views. Even more depressing was that the West Flood area was completely overgrown and no habitat for Southern Migrant Hawkers. Other than a frustrating time at Oare, it was a good day with some lovely views and a few bonus photos too. 

Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis - male