June and July are always months which I look forward to every year. There are a good range of species on the wing by now and often the warmer weather makes for some lovely sessions and photographic opportunities. This year was no different with a few of my favourite species on the wing including Norfolk Hawker and Willow Emerald Damselfly. I find myself most weekends searching out these species and spending my time studying and photographing them. Despite having hundreds upon hundreds of shots of these two species, it's often a real highlight of the year being in the presence of these species and getting lost in the moment. Throughout my sessions, I was able to take a few pleasing images of both species.
Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) - male
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - teneral female
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) - male
The last couple of years have seen the Southern Migrant Hawker expanding its range and becoming more common on the north Kent coast and it was again nice this year to spend a number of sessions at Oare Marshes observing and photographing this most stunning dragonfly. On a few visits, the temperature was over 30 degrees celsius and even the dragonflies spend their time in the shade.
Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - male
A number of hours were also spent trying to capture this species in flight with a varying degree of success.
Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - male
Another challenge of mine this year was to capture and photograph the emergence of a Migrant Hawker and with a few nymphs encountered at Nethergong, I spent quite a bit of time looking early morning and late evenings. My persistence was to be rewarded when early one morning, I found a few emerging from the pond and even better, one was within reaching distance for me and the camera. The light was good and along with some other campers who wondered what I was up to, I was able to capture a few pleasing photos of this dragonfly emerging within the reeds.
Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) - newly emerged male
I'm lucky to live near a colony of the Scarce Chaser and when the males have matured up, I love to spend some time trying to capture some shots as they make their rapid flights out over the river to chase other species before often returning back to the same perch. With a bit of patience and lots of photos with various backgrounds, I was able to eventually capture some photos which worked well.
Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) male
My next post which I shall post during the next week will look at August through to November and just when I thought the season was over, there was to be one final amazing experience which made my year!
As always, an excellent post, Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Mike. With all this awful weather we're having at the moment, it's refreshing to be able to look back over them.
DeleteSome great shots of some wonderful Odonata. I normally do an annual pilgrimage to see Southern Migrant Hawkers on Canvey Island + get the Scarce Emeralds as a bonus.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky to add Norfolk Hawker to my London list this year from the London Wetland Centre where I also saw my first London (& second UK) sighting of Lesser Emperor.
Wonderful blog which inspires so many dragonfly enthusiasts!
Many thanks for your visit and comment. Very much appreciated. Hopefully the SMH's will continue to expand over the southern part of the country. Hope next year delivers some good species for you.
DeleteAs I look out of my window and view the cold and grey scene where it's blowing a hoolie, It's sobering to reflect on the fact that these fabulous images were taken in the same country, Marc. As always, I'm in awe of your work!
ReplyDeleteDid a check the other day, and there are still six UK dragonfly species and six damselflies that I have yet to get any sort of photo of - and that's not counting the rare visitors like Lesser Emperor that Conehead54 mentions above. Must try harder!
I thank you Richard for your continued support throughout the year with my photos. It's very much appreciated and drives me on the challenge myself. Fingers crossed for a successful year for the both of us next year. Happy clicking.
DeleteBeautiful Odonata, everyone is the number one.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. It seems that it wasn't a bad year for the camera.
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