Monday 17 June 2013

Blue-tailed Damselfly.


I was slow to rise and get going this morning and as a brief dip into my local patch just before midday only produced a single male Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot and Grey Heron on the Great Pond I decided to drive down to Riverside Country Park for a wander around the lake.
There were several spots alongside the waters edge where the wild flowers were putting on a good show and amongst the grasses I noticed a few Damselflies flitting hither and thither but rarely stopping to rest. Undeterred I continued my search around a patch of thicker bramble vegetation and found a pair of Blue-tailed Damselflies (Ischnura elegans) in a mating wheel. 


I wasn't overly happy with the results using the 450D plus 70-300 lens handheld so I reverted to my Cannon PowerShot S95 for a more detailed close up view (see below) which clearly shows the two distinctive features that distinguishes this species from the rarer Scare Blue-tailed; the blue at the end of the abdomen is present on both segments 8 and 9 and the male has a long bicoloured pterostigma on its fore wing.


While snapping this co-operative pair I missed a Common Tern fishing right behind me! Other sightings included a nice patch of Marsh Orchids and Hoverflies visiting various nectar sources.

The only dragonfly I found was a large unnamed version where I was able to rest my weary legs. You can view all the Dragons and Damsels I have photographed by clicking this link.  FAB.

 Linking to Nature Notes.

40 comments:

  1. i like that bee in the pink blossom.

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    1. Therasa. He/she obviously did as well.

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  2. your wildflowers are like a cottage-garden display; very pretty and the dragonfly catches were a great find

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    1. Carole M. It is great to see some wild flower colour at long last.

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  3. I'm impressed with how well the PowerShot's photo turned out! Very nice series of photos.

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    1. EG CameraGirl. The PowerShot produces good macro shots providing I can hold the little devil still!

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    1. Rick. Many thanks for your visit and kind comments.

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  5. HI Frank I would have been pleased if I could have captured the first 2 shots of the Damselflies but the third shots is fantastic. On the very last small photo of the head of a white flower, can you tell me the name of that please. Margaret

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    1. Margaret A. It is one of the Carrot family - Hemlock Water-dropwort.

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  6. Beautiful photos! Love the close up of the Damsel Flies.

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  7. The unnamed dragonfly looks to be a useful addition for the weary photographer.

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    1. Midmarsh John. It could get a lot of use by a certain 'wildlife watcher'!

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  8. Great photos, Frank! The shots of the connected Damsflies is really cool...looks like a heart!

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    1. Thanks Tammy. It is the classic position and known as the 'mating wheel'.

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  9. That first image of Wildflowers just pulls you in.

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    1. Hi Carol. This was just a tiny patch but hopefully I'll soon be wandering through a proper wild flower meadow and see what that produces.

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  10. I love the colors of the dragonflies. Lovely images.

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  11. Lois. Many thanks. Regretfully too few species about at the moment ... far too cool and windy.

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  12. Hi Frank...The first one of the wildflower could have been taken right here that's what our fields look like right now, the same flowers!!
    I have only seen one dragonfly so far this year, this blue one is a lovely color, and looks like there will be more to come!!
    Love that wild Orchid such amazing plants!! I wonder if they will be around in years to come !! We have some here to, but with development like it is I think they might not survive!!
    Thanks for sharing, and showing us around your local patch!!
    Grace

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    1. Hi Grace. While driving today I also saw a field full of red poppies so perhaps Summer is here at last. I did notice that some of the Orchid heads had been snapped off ... probably to fill someones flower vase ... that certainly won't help their next generation.

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  13. Gorgeous wildflowers in the field. Now, I must 'fess up, I don't know the difference between dragon flies and damsels. I best go out to Google shortly.

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    1. Hootin Anni. The basic difference is that damselflies usually hold their wings closed and horizontal to their body when at rest whereas dragonflies hold them open (like an aeroplane).

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  14. Not seeing many dragonflies here yet. I often revert to my Canon powershot for closeups too. Lovely shots.

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    1. Karen. Same here ... I only photographed my 2nd dragonfly today.

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  15. Awesome dragonfly shots, they are pretty damselflies and flowers! Lovely post, Frank!

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  16. You took some great nature shots. I love the ones of the damselfly and an interesting post.

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  17. Frank, what a lovely place to walk! I love seeing the dragonflies and did not know that their mating was called a "mating wheel." It is so descriptive and poetic! however, I would not have the patience to try and identify them if you have to do it by segments! You are one dedicated and patient man! Thanks for your recent comment on my blogpost. It was much appreciated. You are a birder after my own heart!

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    1. Kathie. ID isn't always easy in the field but with a reasonable image I can usually sort out the species later using my well thumbed Field Guide.

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  18. A really gorgeous series of photos, Frank. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Linda. Thanks for your visit and kind comments.

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  19. Beautiful photos! The colors of the Blue-tailed Damselflies are so pretty!

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  20. gret shots of the damselflies. Love that wooed oen too. :)

    Do you know I have a meme for Winged ones? I call it NF Winged. Opens thursdays. You are welcome to join in if you like.

    http://nfmemes.blogspot.se/search/label/NF%20Winged

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    1. NatureFootstep. I am aware of your meme and I'll see what I have to post.

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  21. Nice close up. You never know what you'll find on a photo safari.

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  22. I love to take a walk around our pond as I try to photograph the dragons and damsels... Great photos of the mating wheel. Loved this post for Nature Notes... Michelle

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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