The MGS Forum
Gardening in mediterranean climates => Wildlife in the garden (birds, butterflies, and how to attract them) => Topic started by: MikeHardman on January 21, 2012, 10:01:14 AM
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This dragonfly was in the shade on a chilly morning yesterday, hence he was lethargic and relatively easy to entice onto my hand. However, he was not completely torpid, as I found when trying to pose him for the camera. It was no good trying to get a head-on shot fully illuminated by the sun - because he persisted in turning himself so his body was at right angles to the sun (whence the contrast was too great from one side of his head to the other). I am familiar enough with butterflies warming-up by turning themselves so their flattened wings are at right angles (-ish) to the sun, but I had not noticed the behaviour in dragonflies before. He was happy enough to be turned head-down, again orienting his body at 90degrees to the sun, enabling me to get this picture.
If anyone happens to be able to identify the species, it would be useful to know.
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That's neat. Coincidentally, I just came in from my garden where I saw one up close. Didn't have my camera, unfortunately.
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Mike,
Sorry i have noticed this post only now,
It is a female of Epaulet skimmer, by the color of the back [ a bit orangy] and the little dark square at the end of each wing.
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Thank you Oron.
Having a name to go on (Orthetrum chrysostigma), I was able to do some research, during which I came across a good web site for dragonfly photos - http://www.dragonflypix.com/index.html
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Some pictures of dragonflies I could take visiting my small pond the last days in the garden: Anax imperator, Crocothemis erythraea and Orthetrum brunneum.
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Lovely, Hans - the Crocothemis picture is the most beautiful dragonfly photo I've ever seen!
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Thanks a lot Alisdair! I am very happy they feel at home here.