With the next few days in east Kent looking sunny, quite warm and temperatures up to fourteen degrees celsius, I suspected that a few Large Red Damselflies would start to emerge from my garden pond. After breakfast this morning I went outside to see if anything was happening and I could see a few Large Red Damselfly nymphs sitting in the shallows near some pre prepared stalks I had put in the pond. As the morning progressed I went out and looked every now and eventually about 11.20am, I could see one nymph starting to climb up the stalk. I had everything ready indoors and within a few minutes, I was in position laying down on my belly in front of the pond. The plan was to let the nymph completely settle and then remove the stalk which had plasticine on the bottom. This would then be put down on the grass next to the pond so that I had the green grass as a background colour. I hoped this would give me some nice contrast against the damselfly as well as a clean background and no clutter. I then spent the next 90 minutes taking lots of photos of the whole sequence and made sure in between photos that I took time to watch and study the miracle that was happening before my eyes. My observations ended up providing me with more questions which I shall look for answers to in the next few days but as far as the photos today, to say I am pleased with them is an understatement. Although the light was good outside and I normally use AV mode, I opted for manual mode, ISO 400, speed set to 250, f8-f16 and in camera flash to capture more detail in the shots. Hopefully this is the first of many opportunities to capture some of the species emerging and i'm still hopeful and fingers crossed to capture a Hairy Dragonfly emerging. Its certainly been a fine start with the camera and hopefully 2016 will be an excellent and memorable season. Quite a few shots to follow but I think they tell and capture one of the wonders of the natural world.
Large Red Damselfly Emerging (male)
'Teneral' male Large Red Damselfly
Large Red Damselfly Exuviae
Congratulations! Absolutely gorgeous event.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. Anne. A truly brilliant sight to observe.
DeleteOh my! All that happened in 90 minutes? Did its eyes actually get darker, or was that just a change in the lighting? So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wilma. Yes, just 90 minutes to emerge and finish. The eyes do get darker as does the whole damselfly as it dries out and starts to get its colours.
DeleteIncredible series of shots. Superb idea to take the reed out of the water for the background. Superb.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your kind words, appreciated.
DeleteA lovely 90 minutes spent the Large Red Damselfly, beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob. Just me and nature. No cars, no people...... bliss!
Delete*shakes head in speechless admiration*. Those are a bit good Marc. The process really is utterly breathtaking. Did the damselfly emerge upside-down or are the white breathing apparatus quite rigid and remain upright? Awesome series of photographs. Every time I look through them, I see some new and interesting detail.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Lucy for your kind words. The white 'strings'were blowing gently in the breeze, otherwise they would not be sticking up. Makes for a nice effect though I think.
DeleteAh-ha, that makes sense. More of the wild element of it all.
DeleteMagnificent post Marc.
ReplyDeleteJohn.
Many thanks John.
DeleteA miracle indeed Marc...thanks for letting us share it with you via this superb sequence of images...nature is so amazing...[;o)
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.
DeleteAwesome images! What a start you have made to the 2016 Odonata Season!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such superb images!
Many thanks Pam. Certainly a pleasure to witness and photograph.
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