Sunday, June 24, 2007

White-legged Damselfly, Elton Water Meadows

The awful weather predicted for today didn't look like it was going to materialise, and needing a break from work on the book (Watching British Dragonflies) I decideed to go and look at some live beasties for a couple of hours.

The Natural Stone had seen two of my fave odonates, White-legged Damselfly and Scarce Chaser, near his home in Elton which ain't too far from the house. I see Scarce Chaser annually at Woodwalton Fen NNR, but I have to travel further afield for White-legged Damsels, so scoring the latter in particualar would be sweet.

Immature female (form lactea) White-legged Damselfly. The white legs are very obvious, but they are not swollen like the males, which are spectacular, especially when he is displayin. Alas all the adults, inc. a handful of males, were all very active and camera shy!

Alas no Scarce Chasers seen, but plenty of White-legged Damsels, most of them (95%+) where the above young female form lactea.

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