The last few visits to Nethergong have seen my very much pre-occupied with counting Willow Emerald Damselflies and searching for photo opportunities with male Southern Hawkers. I decided on my last visit to spend some time with the Emerald Damselflies which are very much in evidence here. It was only a few weeks ago on a visit that I saw my first Emerald Damselflies at Nethergong when I found a pair near each other. This was a new species for the site and it wasn't until my next visit that a search in the grasses produced an excellent number of this species. I wonder how many other sites have unfound dragonfly and damselfly species, I suspect there are a good number of species that have yet to be found at unwatched sites. It was nice to spend some time at leisure watching and photographing these attractive damselflies, each one being checked just in case the rarer Scarce Emerald Damselfly was present but I couldn't find any. Although I have photographed this species a number of times, one of my targets was to photograph a mating pair. I found a number of pairs hidden away in the edges of the reeds but most were out of reach or had most of the body obscured by reeds but eventually I found a few pairs which although were not in totally ideal positions, I was able to take a number of images. With a good number present this year, it certainly looks good for the future at this site if the habitat is maintained and continues the excellent number of species found on this superb little site.
Emerald Damselfly at Sunrise
Emerald Damselfly (male)
Emerald Damselfly (female)
Emerald Damselfly (mating pair)
Oh, I do love your sunset, and the best of all, is Emerald Damselfly, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob, they do make for a nice photograph.
DeleteThe mating pair are something else, and good luck with your search for the Scarce Emerald Damselfly.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week Marc.
Thanks Pete. It will be hard to find a Scarce but I shall keep my eyes peeled just in case.
DeleteAnother great set of images, Marc. We do quite well for Emerald Damselflies here, but I'm trying to find an answer to a puzzle. On 31st July I went to photograph them at one pondside location. There were plenty there, but all males with the exception one female mating with a male, and another female roosting on her own. Just a few days later (4th August), I went to another location and in a wooded ride close to a lake I found several but, conversely, all were females. I'm wondering if it was location (waterside v. grass and trees), weather, or whether they have staggered emergence. I don't think it was time of day as both visits were early afternoon. Do you have any suggestions, please?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
Thanks Richard. I think the females spend a lot of time away from the water where they probably mature and rest up. I have also noticed a few females in shady wooded areas away from water. I suspect they visit the water to mate and oviposit.
DeleteThese pictures are also wonderful to see.
ReplyDeleteThis beautiful Emerald Damselfly has beautiful glossy colors.
A celebration to see :-)