A Westbere Wander

I took a walk over Westbere Lakes yesterday (Monday) for an hour or so where most of my time was spent looking for dragonflies and damselflies in the vegetation near the river. The weather was not that ideal with cloudy skies and only occasional sunny spells but a brisk wind really did not help at all. However, in the sheltered spots I was able to find a number of Variable, Azure and Blue tailed Damselfly along with a couple of Red eyed Damselfly with one female posing nicely for some shots. It was a good test again to get your eye in with identifying the Variable and Azure Damselflies which always seems to pose early season issues every year but a good look at the pronotum is one of the best ways to identify the females I find. It was also pleasing to see 4 Hairy Dragonfly and my first Banded Demoiselle of the year. With lots of other people out walking, photo opportunities were hard to come by as it seemed whenever I stalked and found myself in a good position to photograph something, people would appear around the corner and I would have to let the chance go. I'm sure other chances will arise in the next few sessions...I hope. Weather permitting, I can make a few more visits out in the next few days to encounter and photograph the dragonflies and damselflies that cross my path.

 

Red eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas) - female

 

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)

 

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) - male