Common Darter;

Description:

Dragonfly, 38-43 mm long. Females and teneral individuals have light yellow thorax and abdomen. Males turn red as they mature. Females darken with age, becoming a dark chocolate brown, and sometimes develop a blue colouration to the bottom of the abdomen. The wings also develop a brown tinge with age. In all cases the legs have a cream or yellow stripe on a black background - this is a diagnostic feature of this species. The pterostigma of the females can be red, blue, pale blue or brown.

Habitat:

It is one of the most common dragonflies in Europe, occurring in a wide variety of water bodies, though with a preference for breeding in still water such as ponds and lakes. In the south of its range adults are on the wing all year round. Spotted in an evergreen oak and pine tree forest.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/13; ISO Speed Rating: 1000. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired