Friday, 14 February 2025

Downy Emerald at Bystock Ponds

Back in 2023 I purchased a new 100-400mm lens, a bit more versatile than my 400mm prime for insects. The main advantage being that I could take almost two whole meters off my minimum focusing distance at 400mm (3.5 m for the 400mm prime and 1.6m for the zoom lens). I knew the best place to test it out too! Bystock Ponds, where I'd managed to get a flight shot of the Downy Emerald dragonfly some years back, (just checking ....oh heck! ... ELEVEN years ago!!) but only quite distant ones as they were always a bit too near for my lens when they approached the viewing platform. I'm very happy to say yes, it worked! It still took me ages to actually get one in focus they're so bloomin' quick!

Anyway, here are my favourite couple of shots and a few of other species at the same location.



Downy Emerald - Cordulia aenea

Four-spotted Chaser - Libellula quadrimaculata



Keeled Skimmer - Orthetrum coerulescens

(Female top photo, male bottom)

3 comments:

Backward Birder said...

Karen! Welcome back, good to see you again, and with so many wonderful pictures.
Ah, Bystock. I saw my first Downy Emeralds there. Was driven slightly nuts trying to photograph them [film SLR, no less..], and one of my lens caps is still under that platform.!

Karen Woolley said...

Thanks Tom. Film SLR that's ambitious!

Brian Hicks said...

Nice to see your return Karen. We have a small pond here in Norfolk that has Downys and I agree they are difficult to photograph.