Black Darters

Hi I managed to find some Black Darters today for the first time since last year
And a pair of Damselflies that I've never seen before look like spreadwings but the male was a lot more blue than I have seen before I need to get the book out !
plus a bonus male common darter
Pete

Super set Pete. Never seen any BlacK Darters yet.

Great shots Pete, I don't think I've ever seen one of those before, are they rare?

Thanks Brian and Alby
they are not very common in my area at least
the last time i saw one was the day after I bought the Sigma Macro, August last year. I cocked up the focus the only shot I got was blurred
I did see 3 today so was pleased to finally get some shots, they did mainly perch in the grass which made things tricky
I think they live in a specific habitat, moorland ponds
Pete

looks like a pair of Emerald Damselflies. I hadn't heard of a Black Darter before.

Fabulous set of shots Pete. Very good black darter shots, arent they just cute - I only saw a couple recently.

I dont have a clue what your damsels are, I have scoured my books but just cant come up with anything that looks like that.

Linda

Nice shots Pete.

The damsels are lestes sponsa, emerald damselflies. Great shot of a mated pair. The male of a pair once mated hangs onto the female while she oviposits (lays eggs) to make sure the kids are his.
Emeralds are so rare around the Bristol UK area, I'm already jealous, but these black darters, I've been hunting forever for these and I'm green with envy. I'm biased, but this is a super set simply because they're not easy to find. You found them and made the most of it with some very nice pictures. The common darter is nice too, but a bit oversaturated (don't want you to get too big headed. )

Excellent shots!!

Excellent finds and shots
Brian V.

Congrats on the black darters Pete and the mating damselfly shots (never seen this, so I'm also jealous). My fave has to be the common darter though

Dave

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice always appreciated

Thanks for the ID Toby

Thanks Linda, I love the Black darters they are cute and so tiny not really bigger than a Damselfly

Thanks Peepaw

Thanks Eccles and for the ID
The Emeralds that I have seen before have not been as blue as this
I hope you find some Black darters , If you ever come to North Wales I can direct you to the site
I converted the Common Darter Raw shot with the saturation set to high will do another one on mid high

Thanks Photogirl

Thanks Brian

Thanks Dave the Common Darters are one of my favourites