Tuesday 26 June 2018

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) Emerging

One of my challenges last year was to try and photograph the emergence of a Banded Demoiselle which after weeks of staying up late and getting up early, I finally succeeded in. Once again this year, I thought I would set up my stream aquarium in the garden which tries to replicate the conditions in a small stream. I have a small pump at one of the ends which provides a small current which the Banded Demoiselle nymphs require and a few clumps of weed either side where they can hide and also hunt. Placed at one end is a few reeds where I hope they will emerge on. I have been checking this most mornings for the past few weeks and haven't seen much action and as I found out last year, this is a difficult species to photograph emerging, hence there are hardly any photos to be seen of this species emerging. To cut a long story short, I noticed a few days ago that one of the nymphs had moved out of the weed and was resting at the base of one of the reeds and as the next day arrived, I could see the nymph with its head well above the water line. This started to get me excited and once again, thoughts entered my mind on having another go at capturing this rarely seen and photographed sight. Last night (Monday), I checked the tank a few times after dark and the nymph was now resting well out of the water. I was sure it was going to attempt to emerge and so prepared the necessary equipment and got set up and comfortable in the garden. It seemed to take ages to settle down and get the grip it required but at 23:45pm, she started to emerge and I was then able to take a number of photos of the emergence. By 00:37am, she had fully emerged and her wings were pumped up. By now I was getting tired so I retired indoors and was soon unknowingly asleep. I had a look this morning where she had already flown to hopefully rest up and mature. These chances are few and far between with this species so I am incredibly pleased to have had another opportunity to capture this rare sight.
 
 

 



 





Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) - Female Emerging





14 comments:

  1. The BD emergence can't possibly have been better illustrated and documented than this surely. Time and dedication to this end is admirable Marc.

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    1. Many thanks Pete. I hope you may be right. I've not seen any photos on the internet or elsewhere which show this species emerging quite like this. Really pleased with these.

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  2. Beautiful and one that is one my favourite Marc.

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    1. Many thanks Bob. They are a stunning iconic species aren't they? Always a treat to see them fluttering out over a river on a warm sunny day.

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  3. Look at how the exuviae legs are grasped around the reed - how interesting. Beautiful images.

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    1. Many thanks Wilma. It took ages for it to wrap those long legs around the reed. A crucial part though in the emergence. Without that, they could easily slide or fall down.

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  4. PHWOAR !!! More stunning images Marc. Your dedication is admirable !!! Never seen a Banded Dems exuvia never mind emergence. Thanks for giving me that opportunity, albeit second hand. It's one thing putting the nymphs into a pond or tank to let them emerge but you've gone to another level with this species. Tremendous.

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    1. Many thanks Johnny. I like to think i have earnt this with my time put into the challenge. You are right, the exuviae are hard to find anyway. I only have 3 of them. A real treat to see first hand i assure you.

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  5. Amazing images Marc,love your dedication.
    John.

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    1. Many thanks John. Nice to capture the dead of the night feel as she emerged in the darkness.

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  6. I never cease to be amazed by your dedication and ingenuity in getting these truly fabulous images, Marc. I'm not surprised that there is little other photographic material on this specific aspect of this species. Congratulations! Now go and get some sleep!

    Best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Many thanks Richard. Must admit, I'm over the moon with this set. Don't think I could have improved them. Hope others get to view and appreciate them over time of what is a rarely seen sight.

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  7. There is nothing to add to the abovecomments other than to add my congratulations Marc. Outstanding pictures.

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