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Les demoiselles

davidwozhere
Posted 10/07/2018 - 23:01 Link
This summer has been very kind to damselflies in general and, in my area, demoiselles. There are only two kinds in the UK - the Banded Demoiselle and the Beautiful Demoiselle, both of which were out in abundance.

The first two are (male) banded demoiselles
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and a female laying her eggs in weeds at the river's edge
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And here is how she got into that state (!) These two are a pair of Beautiful Demoiselles. The male grabs the female by the scruff of her neck - he has a three pronged pincer and she has a triple purchase point for the purpose. She then arches her tail beneath the male's thorax to couple their reproductive parts.
(I love the look on her face!).
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A male Beautiful Demoiselle is just that
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and the female isn't far behind
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I hope you enjoyed them. All taken with a K3ii and a 55 - 300 PLM.
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The baby trout, on the other hand, couldn't care less!
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Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
alfpics
Posted 10/07/2018 - 23:21 Link
A wonderful set David - and brilliant to capture one in flight as well!
Andy
derek897
Posted 10/07/2018 - 23:26 Link
Brilliant set, I have never even gotten close enough to try and get a shot, let alone a set as great as these.
I know what i like, If not always why.
Daronl
Posted 11/07/2018 - 04:39 Link
This is wonderful photocraft David,enhanced with your fascinating , informative notes.
Daronl
Chrism8
Posted 11/07/2018 - 06:46 Link
Superb shots
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
MrB
Posted 11/07/2018 - 09:38 Link
David, thank you for the information and, of course, for the wonderful images.

Cheers.
Philip
tripodes
Posted 11/07/2018 - 10:10 Link
Incredible photos! I love nature, and It's like Demoiselle are very difficult to capture for the photo. Great job!
Posted 11/07/2018 - 10:50 Link
Super set... and great insight into their everyday lives...

Best
LennyBloke
Posted 11/07/2018 - 12:25 Link
Great knowledge and images - I do enjoy a good "photo-commentary"
LennyBloke
walt
Posted 11/07/2018 - 14:15 Link
A beautiful set. Demoiselles have been pretty active around our area this year as well. It's great to see them both, we've even had a male stay around our garden pond for a few days. I don't know why he was there as they require running water, maybe he was fooled by our fountain!
Walt
My newer photos google photos
My older Flickr photos Flickr
Even older ones Picasa
johnriley
Posted 11/07/2018 - 17:20 Link
Superb!
Best regards, John
wvbarnes
Posted 11/07/2018 - 17:32 Link
Excellent, my favourite sport this time of year along with butterflies.
davidwozhere
Posted 15/07/2018 - 01:16 Link
A couple more from a day or so afterwards.

The females seem to appear out of nowhere and deliberately fly past a roost of 6 or 7 males which promptly erupts to chase her. She leads them a merry chase until one manages to catch her - presumably the best and strongest flyer of the group, which is what she wants.

It is almost impossible to capture the chase
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This female Banded Demoiselle wasn't expecting what she got, however. The male dived vertically, grabbed her and shoved her head under the water!
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He had to subdue her long enough to get his tail pincer onto the back of her neck
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He then flew her off too quickly to capture, watched by a nearby Beautiful who wasn't interested in their chase
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Those who have read Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonrider" books will recognize this story as it is probably where she obtained her inspiration?
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
derek897
Posted 15/07/2018 - 11:12 Link
Excellent, really enjoying this series.
Excellent commentary too. 👏👏👏
I know what i like, If not always why.

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