With a family day planned as it was Fathers Day yesterday, I was keen to get out at some point as the sun was shining and it felt warm. I didn't think I was going to be able to make it but at 4pm, I had a couple of hours to myself and decided that I would make a visit to Westbere Lakes to see if any Norfolk Hawkers were in the dykes. On arrival at 4.15pm, it was a little cloudy and the wind had picked up but I felt confident that a Hawker or two would still be active. I walked up to the dykes and soon found a male Norfolk Hawker perched up which allowed me to fire off a few pleasing efforts before he was off and patrolling the dyke again.
Norfolk Hawker (male)
Walking on I soon found another Norfolk Hawker in flight but with the wind blowing quite strong now, they didn't seem to hang around much and were easily lost to view for a while, before reappearing again a few seconds later. With a few shots in the bag and my dragonfly fix for the day had, I slowly walked back but as I did so, I could hear the sound of buzzing wings in the reeds. As I scanned the area, I picked out a mating pair of Norfolk Hawker on the other side of the dyke. Not the idea shot and angle but these opportunities cannot be turned down so a few shots were taken.
Norfolk Hawker (mating pair)
Great to see them mating and hopefully the females will be busily egg laying to keep the cycle moving for years to come. A brief but rewarding session and hopefully a few more visits there in the next few weeks to see if I can capture some more pleasing photographs.
Norfolk Hawker (male)
Absolutely stunning pics, never seen one.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob, still a rare dragonfly nationally but they do make for a nice photo.
DeleteThe second image is such a treat to examine. The shallow depth of field really gives you a feeling for the wide wingspan as your eye tracks from lower right to upper left and then you snap back to the perfectly in focus body along the upper right to lower left diagonal. This is one of my favorite of all of your images; and that is saying a lot!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Wilma for your description. Hopefully I can get a few to match no 2 shot.I shall be out trying very soon if the weather allows.
DeleteThey really are stunning Dragons Marc. Only seen them the once in Norfolk. Maybe sometime soon for another go.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob. Its trying to capture different angles to show off how stunning they are thats the challenge.
DeleteSuperb images of an amazing-looking species, Marc! I fear I'll have to wait until next year before seeking these.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard