can someone id this dragonfly?

[metalfish]

Hiya, sorry about the fuzzy picture but could someone id this dragonfly for me, I think it's a hawker but don't know which kind.

Taken yesterday in Suffolk and its a bigun!

[Deb London]

I think that's a female Emperor Dragonfly, laying her eggs.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Deb London

I think that's a female Emperor Dragonfly, laying her eggs.

Agreed. Our largest species of dragonfly

[GCN lova]

i had a similar dragonfly laying eggs in my pond. was quite big so im thinking maybe an emperor. or maybe a migrant hawker?? it was a blueish colour though.

[N0z]

i agree and think its a emperor dragonfly

[King Edward]

Originally Posted by GCN lova

i had a similar dragonfly laying eggs in my pond. was quite big so im thinking maybe an emperor. or maybe a migrant hawker?? it was a blueish colour though.

A few days ago I saw a very blue female Emperor egg laying in one of the ponds here, beneath the water very like this one. Apparently they can go more blue coloured when the weather is hot. Maybe with age as well (?). They have a characteristic broad dark line down the back. I think it might still be a bit early for Migrant Hawkers.

[GCN lova]

OK thanks. there was one like that which i saw last year before we had the pond and before we moved in. i also saw a smaller red one hanging about. it was a rather big dragonfly, probably the biggest ive seen.

[King Edward]

Small red dragonfly is probably Common Darter (orangey red, legs with pale stripe), or maybe Ruddy Darter (very bright red, legs all black). Tend to perch a lot.

[GCN lova]

im not too sure which one of them it is but thanks anyway.

[metalfish]

thanks ever so much folks. Hopefully I'll recognise one next time I see one, at least its size helps as an id