Emperor and Damsels
Over the last weekend I visited my local nature reserve at Blashford Lakes over a couple of days, having found on the first visit it was really good for damselflies. This year is the first time I’ve looked for them there, but on the nettles and plants on the path behind the reserve centre along Ellingham Lake, they were out in large numbers ( Species that I’ve seen there are Large Red, Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed ).
The highlight of the visit for me, though at the time I had not realised it ( thinking it was a Downy Emerald ), was to find a fresh Emperor Dragonfly. Fortunately, not only I took it, but also one of the reserve wardens, and on the Blashford Lakes blog posted it up with the correct identification.
Emperor Dragonfly- Anax imperator. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 400 F6.3 1/800 in Natural Light.
Emperor Dragonfly ( slight crop ). Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 400 F7.1 1/640 in Natural Light.
As it hung around I was also able to get up fairly close to it, though not right close due to the bush being in the way.
Emperor Dragonfly closer up. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 400 F6.3 1/160 in Natural Light.
Although that did not stop some damselflies…
Emperor Dragonfly and intruding Common Blue Damselfly. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 400 F6.3 1/500 in Natural Light.
The following shots are the best I got from the two days of the damselflies. Including this first one munching on my hand.
Common Blue Damselfly munching on my hand. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 400 F5 1/2500 in Natural Light.
Common Blue Damselfly. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 800 F8 1/200 with flash from MT-24ex.
Of course, up close to some of them, saw them play hide and seek around the stalks.
Common Blue – Enallagma cyathigerum. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens. ISO 400 F4 1/250 in Natural Light.
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Map of Location
Ellingham Drove, Ellingham, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3, UK
