Dazzling Damsels and Dragons 2019

I noticed the first few larval cases the other day

All empty, but you can see one of the adults hiding behind the reed. It amuses me when they think they're being watched and shuffle around out of sight. Fortunately they were not up to flying so if you were patient they shuffled back again to get the best of what little light there was.

These are so immature and pale I'm not actually sure which species they are but I think they will be Azure, Common Blue or Blue-tailed. Normally, I see Large Reds first, but this year seems a little shaken up with multiple cold spells in Spring

If we ever get a bit of sunshine again we should start seeing a few flying around and maybe even a Dragon or two! 

Well done Nige, I've had a few but not got around to posting yet!

This is a Southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale)

& Large Red Damsel

I've not seen a lot but not really been to right places!

Our posts crossed there Nige, & good to see you've had some too!

At least yours are mature, Hazel! I don't get Southern Damsels near me.

They turn up in the local pond every year. I'm amazed the larve survive as it's full of American Crayfish.

Thanks for starting this year's thread, Nigel. It's been so cold and now cold and wet that I haven't seen any damsels so far this year. Nice start with the freshly emerged ones and Hazel good to see yours too especially the Southern Damselfly.

A female Broad-bodied Chaser at Leighton Moss today to add to the collection

That's a nice early one, Hazel. I haven't seen any dragons yet or damsels for that matter. Well spotted.

Well spotted and taken, Hazy, That Broad-bodied Chaser looks like it's brand new out of the box. Like Tony, I've not seen a Dragon yet this year. Yesterday, at the gravel pits, I did spot just a few Large Red Damsels.

That's a great macro shot, Nige. Makes me glad I'm not a fly.