With the sun shining but a very strong wind I had an hour this afternoon in East Blean Woods where I thought I would have a look what butterflies were on the wing. Around the car park I noted a few Heath Fritillary, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Ringlet and a couple of Comma were seen flying by. A scan of the tree tops produced 2 Purple Hairstreak and a dragonfly could be seen gliding around. On further inspection I could see it was a Migrant Hawker and after a few minutes there were 2 Migrant Hawker flying around, my first of the year. Occasionally they would land briefly and as I approached I disturbed a male Emperor Dragonfly which was resting but luckily after a few laps of the car park it returned and landed again in the open, with no twigs or branches in the way. I have been trying for a while for a male Emperor in the open and the day I look for butterflies, it happens. I thankfully took the chance to take a few shots and spent some time studying this beast.
Male Emperor Dragonfly
With one eye on the Emperor I noticed a Migrant Hawker land in a clear low down area and with a bit of creeping up I was able to get my first shots this year of the species.
Immature Male Migrant Hawker
With what was intended to be a butterfly session, it somewhat ended up being a very satisfying session indeed with the Emperor shots ticked off.
Male Emperor Dragonfly
You take a mean pic Marc, no doubt about it....a mean pic.
ReplyDeleteNice set from today Marc.
ReplyDeleteSuper series Marc of these larger 'dragons'.
ReplyDelete