Tricia's Tales: Garden Dragon!

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

Garden Dragon!

I was on my knees clearing blanket weed from the pond today, when I espied this very newly emerged dragonfly. Now I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's a Common Darter? No doubt I shall have to retract my neck rather rapdily if it's not!

Any help with ID would, as usual, be gratefully received :D

It always fascinate me when dragons turn their heads around in order to wipe their "faces" with their front legs!

23 comments:

Billy Dykes said...: Hi Tricia, think its a Common Darter just emerged from the shape of its wings and the way it is adjusting its head!
Great post as usual

Bill; 15 July 2009 at 17:48
Warren Baker said...: Looks like C. Darter Tricia.
Did its wings ''plump'' out ok? They look a bit damaged; 15 July 2009 at 19:11
Midmarsh John said...: Great series of shots of your garden dragon Tricia.; 15 July 2009 at 19:38
Anonymous said...: Hello Tricia,
It seems that the dragonfly was very patient with you taking all the photos. :-)
I like the structure of its wings although they look sort of wrinkled, is it a sign of the dragonfly beeing emerged newly?; 15 July 2009 at 19:58
FAB said...: Excellent facial close ups of the dragon Tricia.; 15 July 2009 at 20:07
Tricia Ryder said...: Bill - thanks! and thank you for the ID confirmation.

Warren - thank to you too. I was a bit concerned about the wings. It was very newly emerged and at one time (after a gust of wind) was knocked back into the pond. I rescued it on a large leaf and it recovered well. It disappeared (several minutes later) whilst I was fiddling with the camera - it was on dry land at that time - so I'm just hoping its wings were OK!

John - Thank you.

Petra - Yes it was patient but it was waiting for it's wings to unfurl and dry in the sun before it could fly.

And yes, the "wrinkling" of the wings is because it's just emerged from its exuvia (sort of case).

Frank - thank you too! I was lying full length on the grass at the edge of the pond to get some of those - hadn't realised the ground was quite damp until I stood up!!; 15 July 2009 at 20:19
holdingmoments said...: Superb shots Tricia, and a great moment to capture.
Fantastic detail in the eye, on third from bottom when enlarged.
Did you use a macro lens?; 15 July 2009 at 20:29
Tricia Ryder said...: Thank you Keith.

Yes - I've got the Tamron 90mm 1:2.8 Macro 1:1 (prime) lens. It's good if the subject and photographer are very still unless the light is really really good!

I hand-held the camera as I had a different tripod mount on the camera and didn't want to waste time changing it! The sun was shining a bit!

I'd go for something different if I was buying again (ie 150mm and a zoom lens) as you need to be very close to the subject and not all subjects like the photographer that close!!; 15 July 2009 at 20:43
oldcrow61 said...: Wow, great pictures Tricia. I haven't seen a dragon yet this year. Still have an eye out though.; 15 July 2009 at 21:12
Cheryl said...: Hi Tricia.....beautiful captures of the dragon....in fact I will go so far as to say the best I have seen of recent times....

For me a pleasure to view......; 15 July 2009 at 21:27
Jayne said...: Have no idea how to ID these things but all I can post is WOW and double WOW on the shots, you can almost see his teeth!!!!!
Jayne; 15 July 2009 at 22:14
ShySongbird said...: Lovely dragon photos Tricia, you were well rewarded for your pond work.; 15 July 2009 at 23:55
Janine said...: Awesome shots Tricia. Great capture on the dragonfly "whiskers"; 16 July 2009 at 00:07
Anonymous said...: I think you can keep your neck stuck out Tricia. {:); 16 July 2009 at 12:03
NatureStop said...: Great captures and details!!; 16 July 2009 at 13:25
Tricia Ryder said...: OC - Thank you. I expect your will be around soon and there when ours have gone!

Cheryl - thank you for your very kind comments!

Jayne - I've got a book - but sometimes I'm completely stumped!!

Jan - Indeed I was - and I even finished the clearing out after I took the pictures!

Janine - many thanks - they're strange looking creatures when you see them that size!

Roy - Yes - feel safe about that now :)

NatureStop - thank you :); 16 July 2009 at 17:42
ST said...: just gone a very strange verdant colour, and out of the garden pond.
Yes it's a common, my favourite dragons; 16 July 2009 at 19:47
Tricia Ryder said...: Hi ST - sorry to hear about your "new" colour Lol

First one this year; last year had about four but time's marching on...; 16 July 2009 at 22:23
JRandSue said...: Fantastic Photoragphy,love every shot.
John.; 17 July 2009 at 19:45
JRandSue said...: Tricia fantastic results,outstanding Photography as usaul.
John; 17 July 2009 at 19:45
Tricia Ryder said...: Hi John - thank you for your comments - praise indeed!; 18 July 2009 at 08:25
Anonymous said...: Great pics, Trish!; 19 July 2009 at 09:11
Tricia Ryder said...: Thanks Di :D; 19 July 2009 at 18:18