Somatochlora metallica
Brilliant Emerald
The beginning of August saw me make a trip to Bedgebury in the west of Kent. The target species here was the Brilliant Emerald, a dragonfly I have never seen before. On arrival within a few minutes we could see some Emeralds flying low over the water and surprisingly one decided to come and land quite close. Most literature I have read on Downy and Brilliant Emeralds suggest that they mostly fly up high into trees to perch but it was most pleasing to see them perching and allowing quite a close approach. I managed a few pleasing shots before moving off for some attempts at flight shots. This proved very hard and out of all the shots taken, only one or two really made it past editing. I managed to see 10 Brilliant Emeralds along with 1 Downy Emerald. A very satisfying session with another new species seen.
Marc Heath