A Downy Emerald & Damselflies
Discovered dragonflies and damselflies on the wing at Blashford Lakes, and these close up shots are from the weekend just gone. All found on the path that runs behind the Education centre alongside Ellingham Lake.
On the Saturday I was only carrying my long lens, the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG primarily used for bird photography, which does not have a macro feature and so it took a little bit of getting use to for this type of subject. I was lucky enough to come across and get a decent shot of this Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) dragonfly.
On the Sunday I came prepared, bringing along the Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro lens, in addition to the long lens. I did not spot any dragonflies this time, instead came across several different types of damselfly.
I am still learning on the identification of damselflies so no guarantee these are correct, although these are reasonable educated guesses, as I have (and recommend) the Field guide to damselflies and dragonflies of Britain & Ireland 2nd edition by Dave Smallshire & Andy Swash.
There were both immature & mature Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum)
The immature
Mature
And immature Blue-tailed Damselflies (Ischnura elegans) of which there are 5 colour forms. I found and photographed 2 of these.
The rufescens.
and 2 shots of the typica
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