JH2o Loc: True north of England

The Vernal equinox and I’m still looking out of the window at snow and ice with more to come. Frogs and newts are over a month late in my garden pond and my first post to this section was going to be new photos of an unusual Tachinid fly Tachina ursina, any other year would be on the wing this week – so when will we see spring

Southern hawker nymph


Broad-bodied chaser


Four-spotted chaser


Hylobious abietis (pine weevil)


Phyllobius pomaceeus (weevil)

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hi JH2o :) Love this set and the relevant inormation you have supplied. According to Dragonflys Northampton, one set of lakes near me have 19 species of dragonflies recorded. So far I have only managed 2, the Migrant Hawker and the Common Darter. This summer I hope to find a few others. The Banded Demoiselle mayfly is very common around here also. Sleeting here at the moment, never mind Summer is on the way.. :)

MJL Loc: Wild Rose, Wisconsin

Very nice series! They really show the details of the insects.

JH2o Loc: True north of England

Hi Robbie7
The Odonata was one of my favourite subjects, used to give talks on the species and habitats. Have you visited the dragonfly centre at wicken fen, should be quite close to you, a bit too commercialised for me and not very productive for photography but it’s good to support these organisations, link below.
http://www.dragonflyproject.org.uk/
A good tip for photographing chasers is to find a bare bank on a pond, sit down and push a stick in at eye level facing slightly over the water and wait, if it doesn’t work that day come back the next, it’s best to use flash or you get these reflections from the water.

JH2o Loc: True north of England

Thanks for looking and your comments

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

Great set, that's the beauty of having your own pond. Unfortunately I have filled mine in now, so will have to travel to see the Odonata.

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hi HJ2o :-) Hey! being a bit of a casual etymologist, I enjoy learning a new word and Odonata was a new one for me., so thanks for that :-) I also enjoy Macro 1:1 but not beyond, as I like to see the creatures habitat also.
I was aware of the stick trick, but tend to observe the scene and the natural movements of the creature in situ.
Thanks also for the link I will watch this later on today.
Hope to see more of your posted topics..:-)