Yesterday after work, the sun had come out after a miserable day, so I stepped out into the back garden to see what I could see … I was just talking to Bruce about the Shield Bugs on the Buddleia when I suddenly saw a Dragonfly! She was sat calmly on the other Buddleia and allowed me to get many shots! Today I was having another potter, and surprise surprise she was there again near to where she was yesterday! Perhaps we have a new resident!
Anyway, on with some photos of this beautiful female Broad-Bodied Chaser 🙂
Wow amazing shot!!!
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Excellent captures, Suzy
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These are great, Suzy. I have macro envy. Stunning shots.
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Sorry, Suzy — “Ms. Dragonfly” is actually “Mr. Dragonfly,” as indicated by its terminal appendages. Excellent photos of a handsome dragonfly — great clarity and color!
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Hi Walter, I know you know way more about dragonflies than me, but are you sure? When we were identifying it we searched and found the markings match perfectly to descriptions of Broad-Bodied Chaser females. The males look quite different. The only thing I can think is could it be a young one which hasn’t yet developed the male colouring? We used these websites to identify: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/broad-bodied-chaser and http://www.uksafari.com/broadbodiedchaser.htm
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Hi again – just been googling and I’ve seen lots of images of juvenile males that look just like ours. I hadn’t thought of the colours changing like that! Thanks for helping me learn loads 😀
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I’m pleased to see you did a little digging in order to answer your question, Suzy. Males and females of many species of dragonflies look similar when they are immature; as males mature, they develop coloration that is different than females. I know nothing about dragonflies where you live, but one look at the terminal appendages on the dragonfly you photo’d and was sure it’s a male. I’m looking forward to see more photos of dragons in your garden. Who knows? In a week-or-so, you may see the same dragon with a new look! (The color change typically occurs in one- to two weeks.)
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Wonderful images! We have found too that dragonflies will sometimes stay in a sunny spot for ages – really helpful when trying to capture images 🙂
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Yes, I was going to say this looks like a freshly emerged male.
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Ah I just said that maybe it could be a young one in reply to Walter – thanks – maybe that’s why it look exactly like a female … will have to keep watching if he/she keeps returning to that spot and see if the colour changes.
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Let me know if it turns blue. Here’s one for comparison from my blog http://entomacrographic.co.uk/2011/04/27/early-sunbather/
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Hi “entomacrographic.” I looked at the photo in the link you provided. The dragon is definitely a female, as indicated by its terminal appendages. Beautiful photo, nonetheless!
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Thanks. I think you are right Walter. Previously the females I’d seen were much, much darker – they obviously darken with age. I see what you mean about the difference in the terminal appendages. Thank you for the correction.
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Reblogged this on sashakli and commented:
Beautiful photography inspired to want to have a new hobby!!!!!
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