| Actual Image
A hairy experience (58)
uleko
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2543 W: 170 N: 7734]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (24475) | Hairy Hawker - Brachytron pratense
As this dragonfly was resting against a rather busy background I tried to disturb it. But, even though I tickled its abdomen it wouldn’t move, so I went closer and found that it was busily munching away at a large Bee and didn’t bother about me at all! I got this close-up from less than ½ metre!! In the WORKSHOP you can see a full view of this beautiful Hawker among the Brambles.
This is a fairly common but elusive species that normally flies from the end of May to beg. July in Sweden. It is easily confused with other smaller Aeshna species but they fly later in the season.
The male can be recognised by the hairy thorax and the broad abdomen with pairs of blue elongated spots. The females of this species are duller, with brownish thorax and yellow abdomen spots. The larva usually develop in stagnant marshes or ponds and the adults often stay near reed beds where they fly slowly and are often seen resting on a reed. |
|
