First hawkers

I visited Shapwick Heath today. It's not exactly a heath, but a large wetland reserve in the Somerset Levels, UK. Hairy dragonflies, the first hawkers of the year to emerge were there. The first is a male, the second a female. I hadn't realised until processing these that the female has lost a wing. But she was still able to bring down an azure damselfly, eat it, then fly off into a tree when finished.
Taken with 70-210 F4 tele. C&C appreciated.

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lovely shots, love the color of the first shot!

Bryce

nice shots. those have nice color and pattenrs to them.

wow there about allready..i hope i see some this year.

great shots buddie,

too early to visit Lee Valley, my nearest Dragonfly sanctuary, on the off chance there might be an early pair but lucky you.

Wonderful shots eccles, natural light?

Wonderful captures
Brian V.

Excellent captures, im keeping my eyes peeled for some of these.

Thanks for the comments, all.
@Toby, this species emerges early so if they're resident at your local spot then they should be there now. You won't get them everywhere as they aren't all that common, although apparently their range is increasing. Yesterday was the first time I'd ever seen them.
@Werner, yes, I used available light.

eccles wrote in post #5528073
Thanks for the comments, all.
@Toby, this species emerges early so if they're resident at your local spot then they should be there now. You won't get them everywhere as they aren't all that common, although apparently their range is increasing. Yesterday was the first time I'd ever seen them.
@Werner, yes, I used available light.

Wonderful shots Mike - absolutely great to see these of the Hairy DF.

I have only seen them once at Thursley NNR but couldnt get a very good view as they were smaller than I imagined and soooo fast!

Still havent seen any DFs yet.

Linda

Thanks Linda. They are indeed small, especially for a hawker. There were four spot and broad bodied chasers at the same place as well.
I stopped off at another reserve called Priddy Mineries on the way home and saw downy emerald, four spot chaser and broad bodied chaser there. No decent pics of those though.