Thursday 5 December 2019

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. 







8 comments:

  1. 'a few pleasing images'....A bit of an understatement Marc. Looking forward to the next installment.

    Apologies for the above delete.

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    1. Many thanks Pete for your kind words. You know me, normally critical of my own work and looking for the next best shot. As ever, it's been an educational year.

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  2. I got some good stuff in my younger days, Marc, but seeing your pics time and again drives me on to do more. My walking days are over, so now the creatures have to come to me. I am patient so who knows what I may meet.

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    1. Many thanks Mike. I'm willing you on for next season in the hope you will find a few places to see and photograph the odd dragonfly and damselfly. It's sometimes the best policy to just sit and wait at the waters edge.

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  3. April and May seem like forever ago, Marc, but your wonderful images serve as a delightful reminder that the lucky ones amongst us have got something fabulous to look forward to next year - and April is only four months away! - fingers are staying crossed!

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    1. Many thanks Richard. Those 4 months will soon go and then the better weather will be back with us. Nice now to look back at the memories.

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  4. Beautiful- already looking forward to my fist Large Reds in spring- a bit like seeing my first Brimstone or Swallow. You know spring has arrived & lifts the spirit!

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    1. I completely agree with you. It won't be long.

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