New Pics and some IDs please

[Satchmo]

Hi Guys,

I had a fantastic day today. I explored a new route on my bike and came across a natural pond halfway up a big hill which was absolutely buzzing with life. I managed to get a few pics, which I'm delighted with, but I need some help with the IDs please.

First is this pair of Damselfly (first one was caught mid meal ) :








I think they are of the same species even though they have different coloured backs. Maybe Male and Female of the same species???

Then, I came across a rather handsome Dragonfly which, on closer inspection of the photo, is missing a large part of one of it's wings. Anyway, I think it may be a Common Hawker, what do you guys reckon?? :








This last Dragonfly I saw really baffled me. It was much smaller than the Hawkers I have seen and was extremely timid. This photo was taken from several metres away hiding in the grass and using full zoom. I attempted to get closer but it flew off....... again!! Anyway, I have had a look on the net and the only ones that look similar are quite rare but even then they are not exact matches (Female Vagrant Darter is the closest in my opinion). Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place but do any of you guys know?? :





Cheers

Simon

[mh68]

You`re on a roll with the pics Simon, another great set of images.1 and 2 look like Emerald Damselflies,the next ones you`re bang on with Common Hawker and the last one looks like an immature male Common Darter.

Mark H

[Za]

Great pictures Simon. I`m sure you will be back there again soon!
Za

[Satchmo]

Thanks Mark, I had just been getting some pics of the Damselflies and just as I was about to leave I saw the Dragonfly (as usual ). Got some pics and it didn't flinch at all. A completely different experience to getting pics of Brown Hawkers! As I was about to leave (again!) I saw the last Dragonfly. I chased it around for 10 mins and this was the best shot. Are Common Darters known for being so wary??

Thanks Za, it was a fantastic ride and I will most certainly be doing it again. I also saw a grasshopper with red hind legs but it was too fast for me

Simon

[mh68]

Common Darters seem to vary between individuals. Most of my recent Gallery shots were taken with the camera virtually touching the Darter,only cm`s away.I`ve found the ones that return immediately to their perch after being disturbed are the ones you can normally get very close to - they only hover for a few seconds before landing again .Lots of times though theyre off as you get near to them.Recently i`d say i`ve managed to get very close to about 1 in 5. After a while you can judge by their behaviour which ones will let you close.Males seem a lot harder to approach than females too, going off my own exploits recently.

Mark H

[Satchmo]

Yeah, I have narrowly missed a couple recently but not been able to ID them.

By the way, with the second Damselfly is it just the light making it appear that colour (like a red-orange)? It just doesn't seem to fit it's name quite like the first

Simon