Dragonflies & Damselflies

I remember the first time I saw a dragon fly over a lake in a woods when I was about 8 or 9. It's size, beauty and the way it flew made a big impression on me. Now I am able to see them everyday if I take the trouble to ealk over to the pond. Its shallow water, water lilies and sedges, iris's and reeds growing around the edge make it an ideal environment for them. During the middle of the day when the sun is out and its not too windy, they scoot across the pond in a never ending search for small insects. I learnt from the secret world of dragon flies film that they fly at 50km per hour so its not suprising that I had trouble filming them, but I tried. I also learnt that although they live for about 3 years they spend most of this time underwater as nymphs before climbing the stalk of a reed and in the space of 12 hours, metamorphose into a dragonfly in order to reproduce.  

​We have at least three varieties of dragonfly - broad bodied Chasers with bright blue tails, blue and green Emporer's and a copper coloured Common Darter. The habbits of the chasers are different to the emperor. They inhabit a particular part of the bank and the bright blue males pose for the females on a reed or a rock. Females that are attracted fly close and the male the couples with them in mid air and off they fly to procreate. I haven't managed to watch an emperor dragon fly mate but today I managed to film one laying her eggs in the water.

We also have beautiful blue, green and red damselflies with males and females staying connected tandem style to aid the reproductive process. 

Its possible that different species appear at diferent times so I shall keep watching.

Surrey dragonflies 

Dragonflies in my pond

Damsel flies in my pond