One for experts - terrible dragonfly photos

[pete76]

Sorry for the sucky photos! Hope there's enough in them to give someone an idea of what it is.





S/he was hawking up and down a river bank, 4/5ft up. The river runs beside water meadows. Pretty large, definitely a hawker of some kind.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[earthdragon64]

Giving a location might help narrow down the species, it certainly looks like a Hawker of some kind.

[Ollie]

Don't count me as an expert because I'm not but just going by the body colour alone I would have said an Emperor Dragonfly but I can't be 100% sure.

[earthdragon64]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Don't count me as an expert because I'm not but just going by the body colour alone I would have said an Emperor Dragonfly but I can't be 100% sure.

That also looks like a possible, it's a species I always forget because they aren't up here in the Highlands.

[Naturenutz]

agree it looks like a male emperor dragonfly,often patrol areas as a hawker does.

[pete76]

Sorry, I meant to give a location - along the Wey Navigation near Woking, Surrey. Emperor was my first thought too, wanted to get some other opinions first

[earthdragon64]

Originally Posted by pete76

Sorry, I meant to give a location - along the Wey Navigation near Woking, Surrey. Emperor was my first thought too, wanted to get some other opinions first

In that case, I'd agree with Emperor, the only other Dragonfly that could maybe be such a bright blue is an Azure Hawker, and Woking is way too far south for one of those.

I may have to wander south again one day just to see the species of Dragons and Damsels we don't get up here.

[aeshna5]

Definitely a male Emperor!

[pete76]

Thanks for all your help, my first confirmed Emperor! Funny how you travel miles to find wildlife on your "wanted" list, but then find them minutes from home.