So… just nine days after my first visit, I made my way back to the reserve, where I found another two individuals on the other side of the lake. The place was busier this time and was full of parents letting their children run off steam. At one point, while waiting to take a photograph on the edge of a path, I was approached by a family. The kids wanted to know what I was doing and so I explained about the damselflies and how lucky they were to have them in their local reserve. The youngest couldn’t see the bug, so his older sister helpfully stuck her finger just inches from the shimmering wings. I winced, but the damselfly stayed put. They have to be some of the most bomb-proof insects I have ever worked with!
I spent another glorious three hours with what I estimated to now be ten individuals. By the time I had finished, my back was going into spasm and upon reaching my little car I found it almost impossible to lower myself into the driving seat. A woman approached with her children and I realised she was parked in the spot next to me. I was leaning on the open door and in fact, couldn’t move anywhere at that point. She kindly waited until I sorted myself out, but I must have been an odd sight. I must remember to take more breaks next year. The damselflies may have been very co-operative, but their chosen perching height was too low to stand and too high to kneel. I spent almost three hours bent over. It was worth it though.
The final image is a close-up of a dragonfly’s eyes
