Demoiselle, Damsel and a Dragon.

A wander around Horton Country Park yesterday produced my first opportunity this season to grab images of three Odonata species.

First up was a single male Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) lurking quite deep amongst the grasses in one of the meadows.

 

The next species was a pair of Azure Damselflies (Coenagrion puella) mating deep down in the waterside vegetation at the pond.

The other species also located at the pond was a male Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa). I spent some while with this obliging dragonfly so there will be more images posted on my main blog very soon.  FAB.

Linking to:
Saturday's Critters
Through My Lens
image-in-ing

Banded Demoiselle.

  [ISO 200; f10 @ 1/200 using 450D with 70-300 lens]

[ISO 125; f5.6 @ 1/100 using PowerShot SX50 HS]

Demoiselles.

A short walk alongside the River Mole today produced a few sightings of our two resident species of Calopterygidea Demoiselles. These are fairly large damselflies with a metallic green or blue body and the males of both species have characteristic blue wings.

This is the male Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) where the dark brown-black wing pigment covers all of the wing.

On the male Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) the dark blue-black wing pigment is a central band. In all other respects the males of both species are very similar. Unfortunately the females didn't get in front of the lens.   

You can view all the Dragonfly and Damselflies that I have photographed by clicking the link to my main blog page.  FAB.

Linking to N F Winged and Camera Critters.

Banded Demoiselle.

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)

Some more pics of this dainty and delightful species can be viewed on my main blog.   FAB.

Banded Demoiselle.

Another sign of Spring is the emergence of the Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens). The metallic sheen of the blue-green body and the formation of its distinctive blue-black wing band glistened as  this male soaked up the filtered sunshine. Taken during a visit to Stodmarsh, Kent today.  FAB.