<< Previous Next >>

Blue Emperor Dragonfly


Blue Emperor Dragonfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Les Case (laffinorse) (11)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-13
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 40D, Canon EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-14 0:11
Viewed: 742
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Description
Length: 78mm
Britain's bulkiest Dragonfly. Its bright colours and active habit make it very obvious when hunting over medium to large water bodies. It rarely settles, even eating its prey in flight. Both sexes have a bright, apple-green thorax and green or blue eyes. The costa is bright yellow. They often fly with the rear of the abdomen bent slightly downwards.
The male has a sky blue abdomen with a central dark line.
The female has a green abdomen, similarly marked, which may become blue in warm weather.

Habitat
Mostly associated with large, well vegetated ponds and lakes, but may be found over canals and slow moving rivers. The female lays her eggs, alone, in floating pondweed.

Status and Distribution
Widespread in southern England and southern Wales; increasing its range northwards. Recently appeared in Ireland.

Similar species
Could perhaps be confused with other Hawkers, but the large size and drooping abdomen (in flight) help identification.

Photo Taken Dowrog Common
www.welshwildlife.org/reservesPembrokeshire_en.link
weeksy has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Les
Your POV is interesting and shows off the detail in this fellows body. Lovely colours and TFS
Cheers
Sue

Very good close up of this dragonfly... stunning colours, bright, sharp and well defined. good work...tfs, regards h

Hi Les - Nice close up shot of this impressive dragonfly. Good details of the head and eyes. Cheers Steve

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF