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Dragonflies in late afternoon
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Posted by Jane_of_The_Gable Co Durham UK (My Page) on Fri, May 27, 05 at 7:52
| Last summer we had a beautiful dragonfly hovering above our pond and it usually came around 5 o'clock, sometimes basking on a stone above the water or just circling around. It was lovely watching it but so far we haven't seen it this year. Is there anything we can do to encourage this 'up until now' visitor and where might it have come from? We live in a small village near a river. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| I haven't seen any round here yet and we usually get quite a few so I guees they haven't emerged yet. This hot weekend might change that soon though. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| When they are around, do you do the trick of holding your finger up in the air? They'll often land on your finger... apparently they like tall thin things to perch on. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| Dragonflies are a summer creature for me, I have seen 2 damsels so far this year and the case from possibly a 3rd. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| I think its just that bit early for the big ones, I tend to see them from July onwards. Plenty of damselflies though! |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| Thanks for all that info. Sounds like I will just have to be a little more patient. I can hardly wait to try that trick with my finger though. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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- Posted by AJC_1 8 the fens (My Page) on
Fri, May 27, 05 at 16:50
| As Cris says its a bit early for dragons, damsels are about tho. mind you dont get ya finger bitten, they have een known to take a nibble! but its an experience when one does land. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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I've only seen a damselfly or two so far, no dragons - but there are tiny little nymphs in the pond.
Everybody here probably already knows this, but my mind was severely boggled when I found out that dragonflies spend two years in the water and only a few weeks out of it. That beautiful creature is really the dying stage... alleviated by some mating and egg-laying, of course... |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| It's nature at it's best/worst. The nymphs eat your baby fish but for two weeks you have such a beautiful creature in your garden. I think its worth it. The big green ones are so nice to see, it makes it all worthwhile. My old man says there used to be a lot more but last year there were loads of them. I like to think we are helping them sustain a good population. Getting a photo of one is the challenge i set everyone. Lets see some dragonflys. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| I certainly didn't know that dragonflies spend two years in the water. Thanks for mentioning it,just makes their appearance even more special. Ouch! Do you think they would land on my finger if I wear a glove? |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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- Posted by AJC_1 8 the fens (My Page) on
Sat, May 28, 05 at 19:04
| A mate of mine had one land on his hand while we was fishing as kids, he was amazed, stayed still for ages, till it had a nibble lol, said it hurt too, they have strong jaws, but he still sees it a favourit fishing moments. sadly they all die at the first hard frost or by end of october anyway, so when you see them they have but a short time left. I have been trying to get a pic of them for ages, they never stay still long enough for me to focus the cam :( I get a few species here in the fens, probebly 5 diffent ones in my little pond, wouldnt be without them, a summer treat. |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| Jane http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/frameset.htm?faq&faq |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| You beat me to the website Sean! There is also arkive which has good photos, but no films for dragonflies. I will try the finger idea. I have had them sit on me and test out it I'm a good egg laying place. Tickles a bit! One last year would hover at eye level--well I suppose it is there pond. Amazing creatures. |
Here is a link that might be useful: arkive
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| A few years ago I found a dragonfly on the carex grass in my pond - it had just emerged from its nymph skin, and was sitting drying its brand new wings. I still have the empty husk that it emerged from. I'll see if I can find the photos I took and scan one in. |
RE: Dragonfly photo
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| Found it - I'd already scanned it in. Brand new dragonfly in the foreground, the empty nymph skin clinging to the blade behind. 
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RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| Well, maybe it is the right time of year for the big ones. We went to a National Trust property in Devon yesterday, and one of the ornamental ponds (large round one, fairly shallow in full sun full of Iris and watherlilies) was bursting with very large dragonflies (like Anyanka's). There must have been a couple dozen casings we could easily see on the Irises and floating on the water. Some were emerging as well and others flying about. It has been very hot for the past couple of days so that probably triggered something. The pond seemed to have a few goldfish and toad tadpoles--and blanketweed! |
RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| wow, thats some photo. I got these this morning, as usual with my photos you may need to turn your brightness up. Why? 
and not so nice, what happens to damsels caught is a spider's web
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RE: Dragonflies in late afternoon
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| I had a pair of red damselflies about for a couple of days and today she was depositing eggs. I also saw a white damselfly doing the same. No big guys yet though. |
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