There be Dragons !

Not many dragons to be seen around the pond.

 Although earlier this year a small red damselfly was seen around the margins of the pond, could only be a Small Red or Large Red.    The Small Red is much rarer I believe, so more than likely, a Large Red, hopefully I will get a photograph at the next opportunity to establish its correct identity.

A few days ago this little beauty passed through the garden, just managed a quick shot before it moved on.

A  Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) , one of the more common of the hawker dragonflies, this was once a rare migrant to our shores, but has now become well established in the south and east of the country.

The one below was seen last year in the garden

Dragonfly & Damselfly sightings

The only other hawker seen this year  was a Brown Hawker 

(Aeshna grandis) this was seen flying along the River Darent, true to its nature, it never settled,but the brown body and rusty red wash appearance of the wings was unmistakable.  

Emperor Dragonfly - This one was seen on the aptly named dragonfly pool at Rainham RSPB. 

Just as hard to get a flying image, as it is with the birds though.

Good numbers of Ruddy Darters at Rainham RSPB reserve.

these were settling on the vegetation next to the board walks, making photography a lot easier. top photo is of a male, and the female below.

 I am having trouble distinguishing the different varieties of blue damselflies, there is the common blue, southern , azure , variable,

blue tailed and the scarce blue tailed, not to mention the female forms.

These were taken along the banks of the River Darent.

I am pretty sure that the photo below is of a  immature female

 Blue Tailed  Damselfly, taken at Rainham RSPB.

I have found that the best way to get a positive ID is to try and get a photograph, and then study the different forms.

 Stealth, patience and luck being a key factors.