Dragonfly Emergence (images)

[matt_xyz]

I was recently lucky enough to observe the entire emergence of a Southern Hawker dragonfly. For the first time I actually saw the nymph crawling up the reed. In the past I've only ever found them once the dragonfly has begun to emerge.

Here, the nymph has crawled up the reed and sits still for around 10 mins:



Then slowly something starts to happen to the nymph's back:



slowly but surely the dragonfly starts to push its way out of the exuvia:



the dragonfly's eyes are now visible:



with a further push it breaks some of the breathing tubes that it used as a nymph. You can see that one is still attached:



all breathing tubes have now snapped. It was at this point that I began to worry that the dragon was going to fall into the water below. It also seemed to sense this and so stopped pushing:



I therefore bent a nearby reed within reach and as soon as I did so the dragon held onto it and pushed its way out of the exuvia. The end of a remarkable process:


Matt

[DavyG]

What a cracking set of pics Matt!

Excellent detail, dof and great explanation of the sequence.

Thanks for posting these, they should be in the Gallery.

Dave

[Bruce Williams]

Wonderful experience Matt and a superb series of photos - very well done!

Bruce

[djackso]

Fantastic shots - thanks for posting them, the process is truly fascinating.

[Tormentil]

Excellent Matt.

[demicav]

Fantastic shots, some of the best I've ever seen. What a beautiful creature. I loved the bit were you describe bending the reed for it to cling onto. Life can be a bit precarious sometimes, even for a Dragonfly. Well done on a superb series of photographs.

[mh68]

Excellent series of shots Matt. I found the exuvia of a Southern Hawker which had emerged from the garden pond last week, but missed the emergence itself.These shots have made up for it

Mark H

[GuyF]

A great set of shots Matt, well done, it must've been an amazing thing to witness.
Guy

[matt_xyz]

many thanks for the comments, it was a privilege to watch it. I was lucky as I saw another one half way through its emergence on the same morning.

Matt

[zail]

Have you sent these superb shots to the British Dragonfly Society? (British Dragonfly Society). I know they are keen to get emergence sequnce shots....