Corduliidae Cordulia aenea UK: Downy Emerald DE: Falkenlibelle FR: Cordulie bronzée NL: Smaragdlibel
All pictures were taken on May 5th, at the very beginning of the dragonfly season. I have noticed before that this particular dragonfly species, together with B. pratense start off the dragonfly season in Germany each year. The C. aenea images were taken in Eastern Germany. Several C. aenea emerged at one time over distance of about 10 meters and the weather was just perfect. Once a C. aenea dragonfly emerges its colour is completely light green. Within a time span of 20 to 30 minutes the C. aenea takes on its mirror like shiny emerald green colouration. The difference is just striking. There were two C. aenea that had problems that I have also observed with Gomphus pulchellus dragonflies. The problem is that their compound eyes get stuck in the exuviae somehow and the dragonfly dies as a result. Cordulia aenea - Female Cordulia aenea - Male Updated 2012 Cordulia aenea - Male Exuviae ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Epitheca bimaculata UK: Eurasian Baskettail DE: Zweifleck FR: Epithèque bimaculée NL: TweevlekEpitheca bimaculata - Female Saved this E. bimaculata from the rain and wind gusts on May 10th 2004. The typical summer in Europe appears to become a returning problem for many Odonata, fast changing weather conditions and rapid changes in temperature, hard wind gusts and long periods of rain all impact the survival of Odonata. It brings the sad result of climate change to your doorstep. ![]() ![]() Somatochlora flavomaculata UK: Yellow spotted Emerald DE: Gefleckte Smaragdlibelle FR: Cordulie à taches jaunes NL: Gevlekte glanslibelPatience: Waiting for a S. flavomaculata to perch somewhere so you can take a picture :-)
I am not certain if you can tell, but the dragonfly shown in the first three pictures actually misses its left hind wing. Somatochlora flavomaculata - Male ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Somatochlora metallica UK: Brilliant Emerald DE: Glänzende Smaragdlibelle FR: Cordulie métallique NL: Metaalglanslibel One of my favorite locations in the Black Forrest Germany.
The S. metallica will fly up and down the lakeshore for hours an end. I was glad to be able to photograph both the male and female S. metallica. Somatochlora metallica - Female Somatochlora metallica - Male |