Dragonflies and Damselflies

The Norfolk Hawkers (a.k.a. Green-eyed Hawkers) were previously rare and seen only in Norfolk in the UK, and considered endangered. I have posted some shots of ones I saw in Suffolk. But, this morning I saw the first one locally in Cambridgeshire. The second shot is amusing, it kept its head perfectly horizontal and swivelled its body through 90 degrees to bank before rotating its head.

6L8A2960-DxO_Norfolk_Hawker_flying.jpg6L8A2961-DxO_Norfolk_Hawker_flying_underneath_head_sideon.jpg6L8A2962-DxO_Norfok_Hawker_banking-ls-tsm.jpeg
 
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This is something really rare - new to even @Maximilian? A male Scarce Chaser in tandem with a female Four-spotted chaser. They don't form hybrids so whether they attempt to mate and fail or what I don't know. The Chasers mate on the wing and it takes just a few seconds so rarely seen. Top two shots from my R5ii/RF100-500mm, and bottom 2 from my wife with her R7/R100-400mm.


6L8A2826-DxO_scarce+four_spotted_chasers_chasers_dragonfly_back.jpg6L8A2847-DxO_scarce+four_spotted_chasers_dragonfly_side.jpg3R3A9537-DxO_scarce_chaser+four_spotted_dragonfly.jpg3R3A9539-DxO_scarce_chaser+four_spotted_dragonfly.jpg
 
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This is something really rare - new to even @Maximilian? A male Scarce Chaser in tandem with a female Four-spotted chaser. They don't form hybrids so whether they attempt to mate and fail or what I don't know.
Just wow!
I tend to say a one-in-a-million shot.
If those weren’t from you and your wife, @AlanF, I‘d put them to AI generated.
From what I’ve read, I thought that wouldn’t be possible for Anisoptera, dragonflies, and only partially for Zygoptera, damselflies.
The cerci at the abdomen of the male and the neck of the female are like lock and key. Those shouldn’t fit between different species.
You can learn something new every day. 👍
 
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Just wow!
I tend to say a one-in-a-million shot.
If those weren’t from you and your wife, @AlanF, I‘d put them to AI generated.
From what I’ve read, I thought that wouldn’t be possible for Anisoptera, dragonflies, and only partially for Zygoptera, damselflies.
The cerci at the abdomen of the male and the neck of the female are like lock and key. Those shouldn’t fit between different species.
You can learn something new every day. 👍
I reported it to the Dragonfly Society, and one of their experts has seen it elsewhere.
 
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