Here be Dragons

Well, it’s been a while since my last dragonfly photo, and I was feeling the lack of it. Lately I’ve taking a lot of photos of horses and ponies and hadn’t had much opportunity for other smaller creatures. However this weekend I’ve been pottering round the garden taking photos, then this morning felt I had just enough energy to walk to the village pond. It took a lot out of me, and it was much too hot, but I got my reward: some photos of a dragonfly. Just the usual Common Darter that I’ve often seen down there, but it’s been so long that even this common dragonfly felt special! Mr Common Darter helpfully posed for me on a gate for a little while so I could get some photos. It was particularly helpful since all the others were flitting around the (fenced off) pond so I couldn’t get close. I got various angles, as well as him having a quick snack, and even got very close, before he decided enough was enough and flitted off. I then headed into the woods to avoid melting and returned home tired but happy.