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Common blue damselfly


Common blue damselfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Hendriks (hansh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 1 N: 741] (2762)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-05-17
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): libellules demoiselle/dragonfly damselfly, Damselflys [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-11-24 11:24
Viewed: 3474
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) is a European damselfly.

The species can reach a length of 32 to 35 mm. It is common in all of Europe, except for Iceland.

Identification:
The Common Blue Damselfly can be easily mistaken for the Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella), but on the back and the thorax, the Common Blue Damselfly has more blue than black; for the Azure Damselfly it is the other way around.

Another difference can be observed when inspecting the side of the thorax. The Common Blue Damselfly has only one small black stripe there, while all other blue damselflies have two.

During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs – this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface.

The eggs hatch and the larvae, called nymphs, live in the water and feed on small aquatic animals. Nymphs climb out of the water up a suitable stem to moult into damselflies.

Behaviour:
This small, brightly coloured damselfly is probably the most common of dragonflies and damselflies throughout much of Britain. It inhabits a wide range of habitats, from small ponds to rivers. They are especially common at lakes and reservoirs.

This damselfly requires a close look for a beginner to distinguish them from an Azure Damselfly. Typically, they fly low through the reeds and often fly well out over the water, unlike Azure Damselflies. They are also a brighter blue than Azures. They can be easy to get close to, but to tell them apart from an Azure Damselfly it is good to know what to look for.
nglen, siggi, Dis. Ac., boreocypriensis, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-11-24 11:27]

Hi Hans. A fine picture from the spring when this beautiful Common Blue Damselfly was about. You were able to take it with fine detail and such natural colours. A nice pose on the heather plant against the OOF BG.
well taken TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888] (16941)
  • [2009-11-24 11:32]

Hello Hans
Interesting POV, I like vivid colors. Well done
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-11-24 11:34]

Hallo Hans,
Een erg mooie foto in perfecte scherpte en prachtig heldere contrasterende kleuren. Mooi zo tegen de vage achtergrond. Uitstekende diagonale compositie.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-11-24 12:03]

Hello Hans,
wonderful macro capture of a damselfly with great colours, details . Thanks for sharing.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • Mello Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 140 W: 34 N: 480] (2419)
  • [2009-11-24 12:08]

Great job Hans. You got a nice pic of this metalic insect and a perfect BG. Congratulations.
Francisco

hallo Hans
super mooie kleuren en goed van scherpte met een mooie achtergrond
een super opname
bedankt je hebt me over de 10000 punten geholpen
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2009-11-24 17:00]

Hi,
Beautiful capture, fine use of depth and viewpoint. tfs.
nagraj.v

Hallo Hans,

Ook een mooie foto van deze Watersnuffel denk ik.
Mooie diagonale compositie en goed van detail and achtergrond.
Prachtige kleuren.

Gert

Hi and Good Morning Hans,

Marvelous job as always, the colour of the CBD really suits well to make it stand out against its surroundings.
Incredible details and focus too. Well done.
TFS and have a nice day!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2009-11-25 3:54]

Hello Hans,
A lovely capture showing the brilliant colours of this damselfly. Great sharpness and a beautiful composition.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

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