Brown Hawker in flight + Black Darter

Lady Luck was shining on me this afternoon and gave me the treat of my life
We went to the ponds at Puttenham Common, Surrey - I had a Brown Hawker female tempting me and then ovipositing right under my nose, but right where I couldnt photograph her. She then popped up and I literally just had time to take 2 photos and I am thrilled with them - complete and utter luck!

Anyway, we moved down to Thursley NNR and there I saw my first Black Darters. How cute are they! Tiny little things, even smaller than the Common Darter. One landed on the back of my arm (typical), my husband coaxed it on his finger and as I had my 70-200 on I had to try and move back to take a pic but it flew away and I couldnt find it again. Moments later we saw just a couple more and I managed just a few pics, but couldnt get too close as they were on the marshy little ponds. I am pleased all the same that I saw them and managed a couple of pics.

Brown Hawker in flight - not cropped at all, taken at minimum focus distance with 70-200 F4L USM

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Super shots Linda. Join the DIF club LOL LOL.
Well done. Like the black darter as well.

skylab wrote in post #3807720
Super shots Linda. Join the DIF club LOL LOL.
Well done. Like the black darter as well.

Thanks Brian - oh, the DIF club is no newcomer to me, I have been 'at it' for two years now lol. I didnt get any last year as we moved house in the Spring so there was hardly any time to go out hunting them, then it was far too hot to be out in it, so this is the first chance I have had this year because of the weather, so it was an even greater pleasure for me, having not been in a position to get the DIFs for such a long time.

Here is the last one I got in 2005, so I am now out of practice lol.

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Nice set Linda, the in flights are stunning.

super set Linda. i'm still trying to get a good one with them sitting still.

Bill

Wonderful series Linda - great to get DIF shots with some BG as well- congrats.
Brian V.

Excellent set Linda, your in flight captures are amazing.

Great series Linda - superb in flight shots

Omgosh, was the first words out of my mouth...Stunning

Attic wrote in post #3808164
Nice set Linda, the in flights are stunning.

Thanks Alby.
Linda

Bill Pham wrote in post #3809618
super set Linda. i'm still trying to get a good one with them sitting still.

Bill

Thanks Bill - you need to set your targets on one, watch it for a while and you will see a pattern to its behaviour and where it perches, you could then move to a spot very near its perch, sit quietly and wait - you will be rewarded.
Linda

LordV wrote in post #3811202
Wonderful series Linda - great to get DIF shots with some BG as well- congrats.
Brian V.

Thanks Brain - yes, lucky with the backgrounds.
Linda

cannylad wrote in post #3811247
Excellent set Linda, your in flight captures are amazing.

Thanks very much - glad you liked them.
Linda

DaveBinks wrote in post #3811739
Great series Linda - superb in flight shots

Thanks Dave - glad you liked them too

Linda

#1 and #2 are OUTSTANDING! --Rick

rrdjserv@earthlink.net wrote in post #3818914
#1 and #2 are OUTSTANDING! --Rick

Thanks so much Rick, that has made my day I really appreciate such a wonderful comment.

Linda

Very,very nice images especially the in flight. The 70-200 is the lens for DIF.

Dai

Hi Linda
wonderful in flight shots well done
They are great when you see them flying, the flash of brown wings is unmistakable.
Well done on the Black Darter I've not seen one yet this year.
Pete

Lovely shots Linda. You must be especially jumping for joy at those brown hawker shots.