Damsels and Dragons

By Words | Published June 3, 2010

The return of summer after some dreadfully dull days. And the return of the damsels and dragons. An hour beside a secluded pond watching the flashing colours skim the surface. There were broad bodied chasers, emperors, and innumerable damsels. I took several hundred shots, but I'll only post a small selection.

One day I'll manage a decent shot of this hugely energetic dragonfly on the wing. Thankfully it eventually paused (briefly) for breath.
Emperor dragonfly

Far easier are the female broad bodied chasers. I got plenty of close-ups of her hovering and laying eggs, but occasionally it's worth showing a little more of the setting.
Broad bodied chaser

But it was the damsels that dominated. These delicate, brightly coloured insects were out in huge numbers, mating and egg laying in the early afternoon sunshine.
Damselflies

Oh, and this evening I took a few photos of fox cubs. 😉

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens except the fox cub for which I used the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS.

This entry was posted in damselfly, dragonfly, Foxes and tagged , , , .

18 Comments

  1. Mickeyjoe-Irl June 3, 2010 at 12:06 am #

    a few photos of fox cubs.

    Peek-a-boo 😆

  2. AnitaMargita June 3, 2010 at 12:06 am #

    WOW! Amazing photos! Thanks a lot for sharing! 🙂

  3. debplatt June 3, 2010 at 4:06 am #

    Wonderful photos. I especially enjoyed the shots of the damselflies.

  4. gdare June 3, 2010 at 5:06 am #

    Great photos as always, but the last one is priceless :yes:

  5. SittingFox June 3, 2010 at 3:06 pm #

    LOL at the cub! :awww:

    It takes great patience to get any photo of a dragonfly or damselfly!

  6. Dudley June 3, 2010 at 3:06 pm #

    Great shots of the damselflies

  7. Words June 3, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Anchi, thanks!

  8. Words June 3, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Darko, I thought you might like that one. Cheeky little thing, that cub 🙂

  9. Words June 3, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Thanks Mickey!

  10. Words June 3, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Deb, thanks. The damsels were excelling themselves, and it helped that there is relatively little foliage for them to hide behind.

  11. Words June 4, 2010 at 12:06 am #

    Andy, thanks!

  12. Words June 4, 2010 at 12:06 am #

    Adele, the conditions were about perfect. Good light, no breeze and plenty of time to sit and wait.

  13. Words June 4, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Thanks Erwin!

  14. cakkleberrylane June 5, 2010 at 12:06 am #

    Really wonderful shots! The damselflies are beautiful!

  15. Words June 5, 2010 at 11:06 am #

    Lois, thanks!

  16. Ukwildlife June 13, 2010 at 1:06 pm #

    great damsel and dragonfly pics

  17. Words June 14, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Neil, I'm having fun with them at the moment. It seems a very good year.

  18. Wulpen October 19, 2012 at 8:10 pm #

    Great shots