Female Norfolk Hawker Emerging

Since managing to find and photograph a Norfolk Hawker a few nights ago at Grove Ferry, I have made a few more visits during the week where on a  few occasions, I have managed to find a few Norfolk Hawker exuviae and locate a few probable Norfolk Hawker nymphs. With the weather prospects looking good again last night (Friday) with not a breath of wind and pretty mild, I decided to give it a good go again to see whether I could find anymore nymphs to photograph emerging. I arrived at 8:15pm and had a steady check of the dyke in question where after searching the margins, I located a Norfolk Hawker exuviae (photos on my Twitter feed - @MarcHeathym007). Its very easy to look in an area and think nothing is there but I have learnt to make sure I really do check the area well before moving on. As I continued to check, I soon found 1 probable Norfolk Hawker nymph just above the surface and hoped that I would have a chance to photograph another emergence so with this in mind, everything was set up and I waited for darkness to appear. Just before 9:30pm and with me staring at the nymph and waiting, I started to search with the torch around me and unbelievably, found a Hawker nymph already up on the reed and starting to emerge. Panic set in momentarily as I tried to manoeuvre myself into a slightly better position. I once again to get a clear shot had to remove a few reeds but was nice and close now to this nymph emerging. A quick few practice shots to get the flash intensity right and I was all settled for an hour or so of watching another emergence happen. As I sat and watched, I saw those green eyes once again appearing from within the exuviae and knew I was onto another Norfolk Hawker emergence. With no wind to make photography a challenge (the midges, spiders, bugs and noises did that) I was able to take a number of photos of each stage and marvel at the site once again appearing in front of me. After the dragonfly had emerged and pumped its wings up, it decided to move around the reed and slowly climb a little higher which meant my session was over. I remember back in January when I decided to pursue this challenge that it would be an odonata highlight to witness such a spectacle and it has most definitely delivered all the feelings I wanted in achieving this. I retuned back to the car quite late with my photos and Norfolk Hawker exuviae a very happy and contented person. I will probably have another go in the next few days as I have two weeks off work now but can't wait now to see an adult Norfolk Hawker perched up or in flight. It may even happen today as I will be out this afternoon at Westbere Lakes looking for them.

 

Norfolk Hawker (female) Emerging