Blue-eyed Hawker (Aeshna affinis) - male on patrol
Another PC failure means I’m having to rely on mobile atm. Ah well...first world problems...
Tags: Blue-eyed Hawker Aeshna affinis Southern Migrant Hawker Odonata Nikon D90 Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro DG Aeshnidae Anisoptera www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk Paul Ritchie
Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) - male
I think the Black Darter is one of our most beautiful dragonflies - perfectly contrasted against the moss where it feels at home.
This was the only one I saw all day in the East Dorset heaths where populations are the best I've seen. Getting very much like hard work out there...
Tags: Anisoptera Arthropoda Black Darter Dragonflies Insecta Insects Libellulidae Nature Nikon D90 Odonata Paul Ritchie Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro DG Sympetrum Sympetrum danae wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk yellow
Azure Damselflies (Coenagrion puella) - two males and a female
I struggle enough getting both sets of eyes in a pair sharp, let alone the tails. Rather pleased at how this turned out :-)
Tags: Arthropoda Azure Damselfly Coenagrion Coenagrion puella Coenagrionidae Damselflies Insecta Insects Nature Nikon D90 Odonata Paul Ritchie Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro DG Zygoptera wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk
Now that the 'Norfolk' Hawker has spread into Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Kent, shouldn't we now consider using the European name? I mean, it's not really fair to Kent...
Tags: Aeshna Aeshna isosceles Aeshnidae Anisoptera Arthropoda Dragonflies Green-eyed Hawker Insecta Insects Nature Nikon D90 Norflok Hawker Norfolk Hawker Odonata Paul Ritchie Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro DG Westbere Lakes wildlife www.hampshiredragonflies.co.uk
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Sorry Frank - already been today. Be warned, they are fresh and very flighty!
The little pearl of wisom I learned through experience last year but had forgotten this year was - in the case of butterflies - do not chase! Stay put and let them come to you. We stood in the same spot for an hour waiting for the perfect opportunity, and I was determined not to wear myself out like yesterday.
This male obliged and perched absolutely perfectly for a little macro session. Once I had this one in the bag I could relax a little and didn't care if another opportunity didn't arise.....
Tags: Pearl-bordered Fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne wildlife nikon nature macro insect hampshire Bentley Wood green d90 butterfly animals Nymphalinae Heliconiinae Argynnini sigma105mmmacro paulritchie bokeh bugs butterflies www.hampshirebutterflies.co.uk Nikon D90 naturesfinest