With some still warm weather last Friday, I made an early morning visit to Nethergong to see if any Willow Emerald Damselflies could be seen emerging or resting up in the grasses near the stream. Its been a slow start this season for this species here, not really sure why but hopefully they will catch up and good numbers will be seen in the coming weeks. I made a few walks up the stream, checking the grasses and vegetation as I went and in the time spent there, I managed to see 12 Willow Emerald Damselfly, three of which were seen emerging. It was also encouraging to find c15 Willow Emerald Damselfly exuviae along the stream so they are here and probably in the trees nearby maturing up. One of the nymphs emerging was in a really nice position at the stream and although about a metre out on a reed stem, I decided to get comfortable and see whether I could photograph the emergence. It was a little distant for the Sigma 150mm macro so the Canon f4 300mm lens was deployed for the job. There was a slight breeze which made photography a little challenging and although these are nowhere near my best emergence shots due to the breeze continually blowing the reed in and out of focus, I really enjoyed being down at the waters edge witnessing this nymph transforming into a beautiful damselfly. It very easy as I have found to keep wandering the area for the subject to be seen and photographed so it was nice on this occasion to actually sit back and enjoy the spectacle around me unfolding. Hopefully a few more sessions in the next week here to monitor their numbers and obtain a few more photos. Also seen were 3 Brown Hawker, 1 Variable Damselfly and a few Azure and Blue tailed Damselfly.
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Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) Male Emerging
Another great sequence to whet my appetite, Marc! Although this current wet weather is very welcome in many respects, I hope that it returns to being sunny in a week or so! Are you OK for WFD and Emperor exuviae? Best regards - - - Richard
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Richard. I think the weather is due to get warm again. Hopefully they will be flying in good numbers. Yes, I'm ok for those exuviae but bring some pots as I have Norfolk Hawker and Willow Emerald Damselfly Exuviae for you.
ReplyDeleteHere we have 52 minutes of pure wildlife magic, caught on camera to produce 52 minutes of excellent photography.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Pete.
Many thanks Pete. Certainly some magic trick watching this small damselfly emerge to then grow to the size you see in the photos. All through the smallest of holes. Nature never ceases to amaze us.
DeleteYou've got the patience of Job Marc, Excellent.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Mike. A bit of patience but well worth it. Just sitting back and watching/ clicking the camera is my idea of heaven.
DeleteWow, you have in minutes, what a pleasure you have birth. Fabulous Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. Always a privilege to watch this magic moment of nature.
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