Thursley dragonflies

Visited Thursley Common national nature reserve on the last Sunday of August, an excellent site for dragonflies. It was good weather conditions, a sunny slightly breezy day, with the occasional passing cloud blocking the sun, so lots of sightings of darters and hawkers. These are the best shots from the day.

A pair of mating Common Darters (Sympetrum striolatum) and one face on.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6.

Continuing the theme of darters, both the male and female Black Darter (Sympetrum danae).

The Male

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6. Image cropped

The Female

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F4.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6.

The mating Black Darters appeared to remain together, hovering over the water, to lay the eggs. This is the best shot I managed, though not easy to view even after heavily cropping.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6. Image cropped

The last type of dragonfly photographed was this Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii).

Olympus OM-D EM-5 DLSR & Zuiko Olympus 90mm Macro F2 lens at F5.6.

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