Sunday 31 May 2020

Norfolk Heaven!

One of my particular favourite species I look forward to seeing every year is the Norfolk Hawker. I can spend hours just watching them flying up and down the ditches in the Stour Valley and Nethergong and as well as time spent studying them, they are a very photogenic species which often perches and hovers in flight. This past week has seen a good number flying and a visit earlier in the week to Grove Ferry produced at least 15 Norfolk Hawker and over the weekend at Nethergong, just north of Grove Ferry, I managed to find up to 9. All of this and it's still just about May. It looks likely that it's going to be a good season for them and I hope in the next month or so to make a number of visits to watch and photograph them and continue my quest to improve on my flight shots of this species. I had intended to try for a few flight shots earlier in the week at Grove Ferry but on arrival, the wind was quite strong and my favoured ditch had the wind howling through it which meant they had moved to other areas. With this challenge put off for a while, I then went in search of some perched individuals and after watching quite a few at distance, I eventually found a willing subjects which flew in and landed nearby allowing me to grab a few pleasing shots.
 

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) - male
 
A couple of visits to Nethergong over the weekend produced good numbers of Norfolk Hawker where most were found roosting in the sunshine in the reeds as well as a few in the meadow resting up in the long grasses and bushes. I managed to find a willing subject resting on a branch and after slowly moving in with the camera, I was able to take a number of photos of this stunning dragonfly. Other species noted over the weekend at Nethergong included up to 5 Hairy Dragonfly, 2 Red eyed Damselfly, 1 Emperor Dragonfly, 1 Broad bodied Chaser and good numbers of Blue tailed and Azure Damselfly. Hopefully this warm spell will continue and I can make a number of visits to enjoy the wide variety of species now on the wing and fingers crossed, continue my flight challenge of the Norfolk Hawker.
 



Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles) - male


8 comments:

  1. Stunning photos of the Norfolk Hawker, really close-up too.

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    1. Many thanks Bob. Those eyes get me every time.

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  2. Hi Marc, I see you are getting plenty of practice, maintaining your quality and art. Stay safe. Mike.

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    1. Hi Mike, hope you are keeping well. Yes I've been lucky to get out to a few sites near home for some action. Making the most of the time before I have to return to work next week.

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  3. Wonderful shots of the Norfolks, Marc. Thank you - I'm sure that your photos are the closest I'll get to seeing this species this year! Things are looking up here, however, with four dragon and six damsel species so far. Found a site new to me and just 5 minutes up the road. It's probably less than a month ago that I was worried I might have a dragon-free year!

    Take great care - - - Richard

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    1. Many thanks Richard. You seem to have done well to see them species then and fantastic news to have a site just up the road, sounds promising. Look forward to seeing a few pics from your visits.

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  4. The first 2 images are particularly good Marc. Looks like you are going to be a bit busy for a few weeks!!

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    1. Many thanks Bob. They're my favourite images too. Hopefully a few more excursions at the weekends if the weather allows as I'm back to work now :(

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