2019 Odonata Highlights (April - May)

It's been another busy and long season with many highlights throughout the year. Once again, I have taken many photos during my sessions both in and out of the county and with this in mind, I have chosen a number of photos which have been highlights this year for me. Some are favourite photos of mine this year where as some have been chosen because of the experience I may have had that day with a particular species. I have chosen to showcase my highlights in three instalments starting with April - May. The winter months always seem to pass by quite slowly and like other enthusiasts, April is eagerly anticipated and with that the first Large Red Damselflies and soon after, the Hairy Dragonfly. During this time, I was able to spend some time photographing both species and ended up with a few pleasing images.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - male

 

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) - emerging

 

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - teneral male

 

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - newly emerged female

 

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - teneral male

 

The last few years have seen me in early May make visits out of the county to Thursley Common in Surrey where my target has been to see and photograph Downy Emeralds emerging. This year was no different and I spent an excellent morning finding a few emerging which I was able to photograph and also a few tenerals which showed off their beautiful fresh colours in the early morning sunshine.

 

 Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) - teneral male

 Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) - emerging

 

I like to set myself a few challenges throughout the year and this year, two of them were to photograph both Red eyed Damselfly and Black tailed Skimmer emerging and to collect the exuviae from both species for my growing collection. Thankfully with a lot of patience and visits to Nethergong and Grove Ferry, both experiences were enjoyed to the maximum.

 

Black tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) - emerging 



Red eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) - teneral female

 

May also heralds the beginning of the Scarce Chaser season and every year, I spend some time at Westbere Lakes photographing the superbly coloured 'carrots' in the reeds.

 

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva)

 

I could have included some many other photos from these months which certainly produced some excellent memories but I feel a good taste of photos have been represented. My next instalment will see the months of June and July being showcased which I shall post during the next week.