Gomphidae
Gomphus pulchellus
Updated 2009
UK: Western Clubtail
DE: Westliche
Keiljungfer
FR: Gomphe joli
NL: Plasrombout
The following
picture shows a typical lake where G. pulchellus is present in large
numbers. The same lake also holds a large number of A. mixta.
Gomphus pulchellus -
Female
Gomphus pulchellus - Just
emerged female

Gomphus pulchellus - Male
Gomphus pulchellus - Just
emerged male

Gomphus pulchellus -
exuvia

Gomphus vulgatissimus
Updated 2009
UK: Club-tailed Dragonfly
DE: Gemeine
Keiljungfer
FR: Gomphus très commun
NL: Beekrombout
This is a common
dragonfly species that can be spotted frequently nearby large rivers
like the Donau and the river Rhine. Pictures shown here were taken in
Vienna Austria and the Rheinaue, Germany.
Gomphus vulgatissimus - Female
Gomphus vulgatissimus - Male
Sometimes
the observer becomes the observed :-)
Ophiogomphus cecilia
UK: Green Club-tailed Dragonfly
DE:
Grüne Flussjungfer
FR: Gomphe serpentin
NL: Gaffellibel
Ophiogomphus cecilia - Female
I had a great
time shooting this series, perfect weather conditions, right time of
day, love the final results. Did not manage to find this dragonfly
species again during the past few years so that makes it even more
special. One of the key identification marks of this species is the
small yellow crown shaped feature on the top of her head.

Onychogomphus forcipatus
UK: Green-eyed Hooktail
DE: Die
Kleine Zangenlibelle
FR: Gomphus à pinces
NL: Kleine tanglibel
O. forcipatus is
one of my personal favorites, the hook looks fearsome even more when
it casts a shadow. This could be a being from outer space :-) I
encounter O. forcipatus from time to time but always only one
individual never a group or a female, just one. The rivers preferred
by O. forcipatus must be clear and slow flowing. They prefer
perching rocks and are not easily startled.
On the occasions
I encountered O. forcipatus, it shared its biotope with C. boltonii,
O. brunneum (same river system) and S. danae/L. depressa (where the
river ended in a lake).
Onychogomphus forcipatus -
Female
New 2010
Onychogomphus forcipatus -
Male
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