The title sounds like a game but spotting Damselflies is better than that! I decided to checkout some local fishing ponds near to the village of Exminster. I have been before but not had a serious look for Dragonflies and damsels. The ponds are in a lovely isolated valley and formed from a natural stream which feeds the dug-out ponds which are stocked and then fished by the local anglers. I met Julian the owner who was a nice guy and very welcoming even though I had just wandered in off the street and meandered around his property. He told me that the local anglers included kingfisher, heron and cormorant and he expressed some anger about the heron’s reluctance to leave his expensive carp alone! He gave me permission to set up in the bushes and see if I could get some shots in the future and I will take up his offer when I have the time.
It was quite a blustery day but very sunny so apart from the wind not a bad day for Dragons if out of the wind and in a sheltered spot. All seemed pretty fruitless but after 20 minutes or so I spotted a dark dragon which turned out to be a Black Tipped Chaser. I didn’t get a photo in spite of trying for at least half an hour, it just wouldn’t settle nor give me the chance of an in-flight shot. Still at least I know that they are there and lots of other species as well according to Julian’s descriptions. Damselflies were there in large numbers , mostly Azure and Blue Tailed which I managed to get some excellent photos of. This is one of those species that has lots of variation depending on age and gender and the first picture shows one that was particularly attractive. I am pretty sure it is an immature male not quite in full colour.
Picture 2 shows an adult normal coloured male. Then picture 3 is a female, immature I think but a very interesting shade of brown!
This venue has got lots of real potential and is going to be the source of some very interesting insects and birds I am sure.

Have a look at this Beetle – Strangalia maculata
Hoverflies are more numerous now that we are into summer and Marmalade Hoverflies do live up to their name. This one although a female was very keen not to move from her territory and was almost stationary in front of the lens. I was very pleased to get such a clear shot of her in flight. Please remember to click on theses “thumbs” to open up the photos in a separate window.