11. Dark Spreadwing - Lestes macrostigma - European Dragonfly photo The Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma) is an important species as it has declined rapidly in recent times. This is largely due to the inexorable destruction of its specialised habitat, namely brackish shallow waters with extensive saltmarsh rush vegetation which mainly occurs along coasts. The wholesale [...]
06. Odalisque - Epallage fatime - European Dragonfly photo Odalisque (Epallage fatime) appears much more like a typical Dragonfly, being large with a substantial body and spread wings. The English name sounds very attractive and it was a species I had long wanted to photograph. The Odalisque is the only representative of its family in [...]
152. Black Percher - Diplacodes lefebvrii - European Dragonfly photo The Black Percher ( Diplacodes lefebvrii ) has a foothold in mainland Europe being found in Portugal, Spain and Turkey, usually at sites near to the coast. They are quite aggressive little dragonflies. The Laguna beyond Jerez in Spain featured in the type habitat is also home [...]
141. Southern Darter - Sympetrum meridionale - European Dragonfly photo The Southern Darter ( Sympetrum meridionale ) is not a common species in Southern Spain and care is needed to confirm identification. Where it is found in larger numbers it is never as abundant as the other Sympetrums. Breeding habitat is in waters with plenty of [...]
124. Slender Skimmer - Orthetrum sabina - European Dragonfly photo The Slender Skimmer ( Orthetrum sabina ) is another important species in my dragonfly life. It concerns a rather sad story of being with a friend Dr Nigel Stones in Morocco in April 2011 but, feeling unwell with a throat infection, I opted out of a [...]
121. Epaulet Skimmer - Orthetrum chrysostigma - European Dragonfly photo The Epaulet Skimmer ( Orthetrum chrysostigma ) is a common species in North Africa which reaches southern Spain and the south coastal regions of Turkey. It is similar in size to the Keeled Skimmer - Orthetrum coerulescens and it occurs on both large streams and [...]
119. Southern Skimmer - Orthetrum brunneum - European Dragonfly photo The Southern Skimmer ( Orthetrum brunneum ) is more easily found around the Mediterranean although it has been extending its range northwards. It perches on the ground, or small branches hanging over the water, rather more frequently than other Orthetrums. It also prefers smaller streams. KEY [...]
118. Keeled Skimmer - Orthetrum coerulescens - UK - European Dragonfly photo The Keeled Skimmer ( Orthetrum coerulescens ) is one of nine members of the family to be found within Britain and Europe. It is a widespread species. They can be difficult to identify, particularly the males, with immatures being radically different in colour and [...]
105. Northern Emerald - Somatochlora arctica - Uk - European Dragonfly photo The Northern Emerald ( Somatochlora arctica ) is one of the rarer UK species, confined to lowland boggy areas in Scotland where these photographs were taken in the 1980's. KEY I/D FEATURES The striking green eyes and the glossy dark green body stand out. Males [...]