Dragonfly id confirmation please

[andy brown]

Is this a Male Ruddy Darter?

[Geoff F]

It has black legs so that is quite possible if you live in the southern half of the country.

ps. This is a suggestion not a confirmation.

[andy brown]

yeah, live in hampshire

[GuyF]

It's an old male Common Darter, the legs darken a bit with age but you can still just see a slightly paler edge to them, the males also become brighter red with age which can make them look a bit more like a Ruddy Darter in colour.
Guy

[wint]

In additional to Guy's point about the legs - a mature (i.e. Red!) Ruddy Darter has plain dark sides to the thorax whereas the Common has the three panels - yellow red yellow. I find these panels a bit easier to pick out with the naked eye than the black legs (obviously not relevant if you're close enough to get a pic )

Paul

[andy brown]

Thanks guys for the correct identification, at least i have pictures now of both the male and female common darter

Andy