My local reserve

I popped round to my “local” a few days ago. Having had some success on previous visits, I was looking forward to seeing what might be in store. I can sum it up in one word. Nothing. I should have realised as I crossed the bridge over the river and noted that the grass had been cut. Not just grass, but meadow flowers planted to encourage wildlife. I realise it probably has to be cut at some point, but only a couple of weeks earlier it had been buzzing with assorted insects. At least I now know to cram my visits in before the end of July and to make the most of what has been a fruitful location over the years.

So here are a few images from a previous visit. All taken on a rather warm and frustratingly windy day. I love my photography with a passion, but it’s not pleasant kneeling or laying on the ground, sweat dripping into your eyes, while your subject waves wildly to and fro in a strong breeze. The season is short though and you have to get out when you can. The days are already getting shorter, even if the heat isn’t letting up.

The image featured above is of a female banded demoiselle. I found her, newly emerged in reeds next to the slow-moving river. She was able to fly and yet she stayed put as I faffed around with my settings.

Below is another newly emerged damselfly, a large red, hiding in some long grass and lit rather nicely from behind.

Finally a mayfly. This one gave me the most grief as it twisted this way and that in gusts of wind. It seemed to me that the wings were acting like sails and at times the bug turned 180 degrees. I had to keep getting up, moving around and settling down again. I have a soft spot for mayflies, having seen my first only last year. In the adult form, they only live for a few hours or days. They are unable to feed and die once they have mated. Mayflies were one of the very first winged insects, with fossils dating back over 300 million years.