In this season, these critters can be seen flying above small streams in the East of The Netherlands. We saw these the other day over the river Dinkel:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/500s
From a distance, they look like butterflies, and they fly a bit like butterflies frolicking about, but then, butterflies don't hunt mosquitos over the water (I wish they did, I hate mosquitos).
These are in fact damselflies called banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), weidebeekjuffer in Dutch.
The males are a beautiful deep blue with a metallic shine and copper detailing:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 135mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/100s
They usually sit over the water on vegetation, so they are difficult to approach. They are also easily disturbed and will then fly away; not the easiest of photo models among damselflies.
This one actually posed willingly, so I took many photos, here's a second one:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 135mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/80s
You can have a look at what the females look like in this post about the first time I saw them this year. Spoiler: they are green.
Thanks for watching!
they're very easy to catch
did you get wet? they usually are on bogs
This specific species likes running water, not bogs. It's a weirdo. And yes, wet feet are par for the course 8-).
Never seen those ones before. Amazing colors. Upvoted. 👍
Amazing creatures.
After looking at 1st pic I thought Aliens are not a myth :P
That shiny chrome blue is just out of this world. Awesome macro work, especially with such flighty subjects!
Thanks!
Awesome captures @ocrdu, up-voted and re-steemed!!! Interesting how their wings have that large banded dark area.
Thanks.
Indeed, there are some dragonflies with some colouring in the wings, mostly near the body, but this is the only species of damselfly I know of in The Neterlands with coloured wings.
Amazing photo's 😊maybe enter my photo challenge https://steemit.com/stphotochallenge/@supertraff/new-photo-challenge-stphotochallenge-week-1-theme-sunrise-and-sunset 😊if you do enter feel free to resteem my post to increase the prize pool for everyone who has entered 😊
From a distance, they look like butterflies, and they fly a bit like butterflies frolicking about, but then, butterflies don't hunt mosquitos over the water (I wish they did, I hate mosquitos).
They both have wings I think that's why. Thanks for sharing @ocrdu