Getting 'That' Norfolk Shot!

Norfolk Hawker

Aeshna isoseles

I have spent the last few weeks after work and weekends really enjoying the Norfolk Hawkers at Westbere Lakes, East Kent. This very rare British dragonfly has recently colonised this part of East Kent and I have seen up to 16 at this site. I have managed many shots of this species from perching in the open, ovipositing and mating but one of my targets was to try to capture a flight shot in good detail that I could be happy with. I have taken hundreds of flight shots recently with most of them being deleted, the odd one turning out alright but I was still missing that shot. Then the other day I returned to the site where it was a little windy which made the Hawkers fly more often as they got blown off the reeds and I seized my opportunity. It was a case of finding an individual that was close enough for a shot which gave me plenty of opportunities as it flew by for a shot. I found a likely individual and started taking a few shots, checking the light every now and then to try to get it right, making sure no reeds were in the way etc. After many shots, I eventually got my chance as one passed by quite close and paused briefly to check me out. The result was one of my favourite shots I have taken and is posted below.

Male Norfolk Hawker

 All the shots taken were worthwhile all of a sudden and it was nice to get 'that' shot. A few more flight shots were taken which were quite pleasing as well. I have also included a few shots taken from Westbere Lakes in the past week or so.

Norfolk Hawker

Marc Heath

More..... Norfolk Hawkers!

Norfolk Hawker

Aeshna isoceles

With a message from a friend informing me that the Norfolk Hawkers were flying at Westbere Lakes in East Kent I made a couple of visits after work this week to see them and try for a few photographs. I arrived at the area where there are some dykes and it wasn't long before I was watching c10 Norfolk Hawkers flying around and coming to rest allowing me to get a number of photos of this nationally rare dragonfly. The hawkers were c5 metres apart and were quite territorial and often chased it other around before returning to their favoured areas. They were slightly too far for the Sigma 150mm but the Canon f4 300mm lens more than made up for it producing a number of pleasing efforts, I know I keep saying it but possibly some of my best yet of this species. I returned the next day and saw c10 Norfolk Hawkers again including a couple of pairs mating, just about grabbing a rushed shot before they flew off together. Today Saturday 14th, I have found another Norfolk Hawker c5 miles away near Reculver. Where has this come from and I wonder if the Westbere colony have been dispersing or is there another small colony nearby, maybe near Chislet? Whatever the answer its great to have this species in Kent and hopefully they will continue to go from strength to strength. No doubt I shall be back for more shots in the next few weeks.

Norfolk Hawker

Marc Heath

Shooting the Boys!

Scarce Chaser

Libellula fulva

I made a trip after work yesterday to Westbere Lakes in East Kent where the plan was to try to find some male Scarce Chasers. As the name suggests, they are quite scarce nationally but Westbere is a good site locally for them. After a search around I managed to find c15 Scarce Chaser including a few nice males but most of them were quite uncooperative and didn't hang around long for photos. Eventually I found a sheltered area where a couple of males seemed to be holding territory and were returning back to the same perches when they flew off. I got myself into a good position and with a bit of patience and slow moving, I was able to get a number of pleasing shots from different angles of these smart dragonflies. Hopefully the next few visits will see there number slowly increasing and maybe a Norfolk Hawker will be seen again at this site this year, I will keep looking!

Male Scarce Chaser

Marc Heath

'Wheel' of Good Fortune!

Hairy Dragonfly

Brachytron pratense

During the last few weeks at Westbere Lakes, East Kent I have been trying to capture various shots of the Hairy Dragonflies, the symbolic dragonfly to get the season going. I have managed to get a number of pleasing shots of both male and females but my last few outings have had me looking to capture the 'money' shot, the dragonflies in the 'wheel' position mating. I have seen the odd pair which have suddenly sprung up from near me as I have walked past and vanished from view to the odd pair seen distantly showing well with water in between us. Towards the back end of last week I once again was watching a pair flying around but this time my luck was in as they landed nearby in some reeds which gave me the chance to capture some shots. Despite their secretive position I was able to get near enough and spend c15 minutes firing off shots from quite close range and ended up with the shot I desired. Another challenge ticked off and hopefully this week with some sunshine and lack of wind I can finally get a few images of the Scarce Chasers with the Sigma 150mm.

Hairy Dragonflies in the 'Wheel' Position

Female Hairy Dragonfly 

Male Hairy Dragonfly

Marc Heath

Up Close Getting Hairy!

Hairy Dragonfly

Brachytron pratense

Yesterday (Monday) with the sun shining and very little wind I made another visit to Westbere Lakes to see what dragonflies were around. I saw good numbers of Variable Damselfly with lesser numbers of Blue tailed and a couple of Azure Damselflies but most of my time was spent with a male Hairy Dragonfly, 1 of 3 that was seen during my walk. I spent some time watching where it was patrolling and occasionally it would come to rest enabling me to get some pleasing shots with the Sigma 150mm macro lens. A Red eyed Damselfly and Banded Demoiselle were seen by another observer so hopefully my next visit will produce a few sightings of these, and more chances with the camera.

Male Hairy Dragonfly

Marc Heath

A 'Hairy' Time in Kent Again!

Hairy Dragonfly

Brachytron pratense

A couple of days ago after work I made another visit back to Westbere Lakes to see what dragonflies were on the wing. Along with a few Blue tailed, Variable and 1 Azure Damselfly I found 1 female Hairy Dragonfly which allowed quite a close approach. I took a number of shots as she rested before a few minutes later she was off chasing the butterflies. The season is well underway now here in England with new species hopefully emerging week by week.

Female Hairy Dragonfly

Marc Heath

Up Close with Large Red Damselflies!

Large Red Damselfly

Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Over the weekend with some nice sunshine forecast I made another visit to Westbere where in a friends garden there was a good emergence of Large Red Damselflies. Armed with a few new techniques and plans, settings and backgounds, I set about getting a number of shots of these damselflies. I managed to use the bean bag this time which made for a much steadier shot and was trying to find individuals where the background made a good contrast against the damselfly. I spent an enjoyable hour watching as they posed nicely and a few larvae were seen leaving the water but time beat me and I never managed to watch the moment when the damselfly emerged. This is a task for the future I hope. I seem to be getting used to the Sigma 150mm macro lens now and so far, am very pleased with the results that it produces. I had my first Blue tailed and Variable Damselflies today after work, some shots on my next post no doubt.

Large Red Damselfly 

Large Red Damselfly Larvae

Marc Heath

Chasers in the Sunshine

Libellula depressa

Broad bodied Chaser

Whilst down at Westbere Lakes this year to photograph the Scarce Chasers, I come across a couple of Broad bodied Chasers which as Chasers often do, have a preferred perch which they return to again and again. It was a nice sunny day so I positioned myself into a comfortable position and watched as they actively fed and chased everything away that come too near. If I remember correctly, there were Broad bodied, Scarce Chasers and Damselflies everywhere in the sunshine. I hope it comes around quickly as the dark evenings are with us now and the last Migrant Hawkers are all but gone.

Broad bodied Chaser

Marc Heath

Bands of Beauty!

Calopteryx splendens

Banded Demoiselle

With the winter months nearly upon us in England, Its that time of the year to reflect on a few warmer days back in summer when I was in the warm sunshine photographing the Banded Demoiselle at Westbere Lakes in Kent. One of the spectacular sights to see is the males flying out over the river chasing each other showing off their emerald bodies and banded wings. I spent some time back in May watching just this sight and at various points they would fly on to a favourite perch or piece of reed and provide me with a few photo opportunities. Up close they are just a spectacular sight and it was pleasing to see excellent numbers at this site throughout the next few months. 

Male Banded Demoiselle

 Female Banded Demoiselle

Female Banded Demoiselle 

 Male Banded Demoiselle

Female Banded Demoiselle

Marc Heath

Westbere Chasers

Libellula fulva

Scarce Chaser

The Scarce Chaser is exactly that in Kent with only a few sites where this species can be seen. By far the best place to view them is Westbere Lakes, not too far away from Canterbury. I made a few visits earlier in the year and was treated to some good numbers flying around the area. As ever the camera was out and managed to obtain a few pleasing images of this species. 

Scarce Chaser

Marc Heath