Southern Hawker dragonfly emerged today

Here's a shot of a Southern Hawker emerging from my pond this morning. I was surprised, as about 8 of his brothers and sisters had left a week or two ago. I had always thought it odd that no Southern Hawkers ever emerged from my pond whereas my neighbour gets loads. Most years I have lots of Emperors emerge, but this year only two came up. Now I've put two and two together and realised the Southern Hawkers were always there; it's just that most years the Emperors wipe them out!

Notice also a couple of damselfly husks and the damage to the iris leaves caused by the larvae of the iris sawfly, as seen here.

Well done on creating a great photo and a great habitat.

What is the small insect to his left?

Thanks illy, that's the empty skin left behind by a damselfly once it emerges from the pond. It's the equivalent to the empty brown skin the dragonfly is perched on - he's just emerged from it.

Madweasel wrote in post #10476306
Thanks illy, that's the empty skin left behind by a damselfly once it emerges from the pond. It's the equivalent to the empty brown skin the dragonfly is perched on - he's just emerged from it.

Ah I see - I never realised the size difference was that drastic. Have you got any photos of your pond?

My only recent shot of the pond shows the whole garden:

Great shot! Nice garden too

lovely shot, lucky you, only get the odd Dragonfly visitor to my little pond. Nice to see wild flowers on your lawn as befits a macro man.

racketman wrote in post #10476600
...Nice to see wild flowers on your lawn as befits a macro man.

Ha ha, yes, that thick patch of clover in front of the bench I actually left the previous time I mowed the lawn, for the sake of the red-tailed bumble bees that like it so much!

Very nice shot....really beautiful dragon

great shot

Wonderful capture !
Brian V.