This weekend saw another first for me, the photographing of a Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) dragonfly. I came across it on the path behind the visitor centre that runs alongside Ellingham Lake at Blashford Lakes nature reserve. It obligingly hanged around on this twig for a while, providing the opportunity to try out different focal length shots and compositions.
Southern Hawker side profileOlympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6.
There were also Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) dragonflies found along this path, mainly in flight although managed to catch this one briefly resting.
1st Common Darter dragonflyOlympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4.
The best place for the Common Darters was across the bridge and just before the board walk to the Ivy South hide, one branch in particularly seemed very popular for both genders.
The resting spotOlympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4.
A variety of shots of the male.
Male Common DarterOlympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4. Slight crop
Male Common Darter (2)Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4. Slight crop
Male Common Darter (3)Olympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4.
and the Female Common Darter
Female Common DarterOlympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4.
Female Common Darter on a blackberryOlympus OM-D EM-5 DSLR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4.
