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Orthetrum coerulescens
Dragonfly. Very similat to Orthetrun bruneum. Females and immature males lack the black abdominal pattern. The pterostigma is orange and the thorax usually bears pale stripes. It flies from May to October after having spent in the water, in a state of larva, a period of one to two years. After copulation, the male watches from the shore the laying of the female in the water. If there is an abundance of males in the area it accompanies holding with their tweezers at the end of the abdomen to ensure that no other male will try a new copulation. It breeds mainly in peat bogs. It is common in central and southern Europe. Its flight is quite skittish, with frequent hovering, and it lands often. It can fly quite a distance from water, despite its seemingly weak flight. When it perches, the wings are held forward.
Spotted at a small brook close to the coast
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/400 sec.; f/10; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired
Spotted on Aug 27, 2017
Submitted on Nov 24, 2017
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