More dragons

I really like the composition and contrast of the last image!

LindaB wrote in post #3923628
Wonderful shots Mike - the in-flight hawker is truly excellent. Shot of the Ruddy is pretty good too

Linda

Couldn't agree more

Dave

Hi again Eccles
looking again at your Ruddy darter shot I notice his legs are completely black is that the main difference from the Common darter ?
The Common legs lighter in colour with a lighter edge to the legs ?
Just wondered what the difference between the two was I'm seeing some bright red males wondering if any were Ruddy Darters ?
pete

Thanks again all.
@Pete, yes, the all black legs are a dead giveaway. Common darters' legs of both sexes have a pale stripe down the length. Male ruddy darters are also smaller, and have a noticeable constriction in the middle of the abdomen giving them a club tailed appearance. The black marks on the last two segments of males are less noticeable or even missing on common darters. Once you've seen a ruddy darter a few times, it is unmistakeable.

Thanks Eccles I will keep a look out and post a pic if I get one
I may have seen one a couple of days ago a recently hatched that did look slightly smaller but I did not manage a photo or a closer look
Pete