Darting Dragonflies
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Ruddy Darter (M) - Sympetrum sanguineum
Inhabits weedy ponds and ditches, frequently in woodland.
Status & Distribution
Resident in south-east England and central Ireland but increasing its range.
Similar Species
The various resident and migrant species of Darter in the UK are easily confused, the females being particularly difficult to tell apart. This species has all black legs and the waisted appearence of the blood-red male helps with identification.
Species GroupDragonflies
Identification Notes
Black legs diagnostic, male has distinctive thin waist with clubbed tip
Less aggressive than Common Darter
Specialises in well vegetated ponds, lakes, canals etc. Will tolerate acidic waters
July – September
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
Looking Close of Friday - theme Dart/Arrow. I had to use an old photo actually part of an old photo. Never been posted.
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
The species is common in central and northeast Europe. It breeds in standing water.
Ruddy Darter (F) - Sympetrum sanguineum
Inhabits weedy ponds and ditches, frequently in woodland.
Status & Distribution
Resident in south-east England and central Ireland but increasing its range.
Similar Species
The various resident and migrant species of Darter in the UK are easily confused, the females being particularly difficult to tell apart. This species has all black legs and the waisted appearence of the blood-red male helps with identification.
Species GroupDragonflies
Identification Notes
Black legs diagnostic, male has distinctive thin waist with clubbed tip
Less aggressive than Common Darter
Specialises in well vegetated ponds, lakes, canals etc. Will tolerate acidic waters
July – September
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
The species is common in central and northeast Europe. It breeds in standing water.
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
The species is common in central and northeast Europe. It breeds in standing water.
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
The species is common in central and northeast Europe. It breeds in standing water.
The common darter is a small, narrow-bodied dragonfly which is on the wing from the end of June right through to October, or even November in a warm autumn. This is a very common dragonfly, breeding in all sorts of waterbodies from ponds and ditches to rivers and lakes. As their name suggests, common darters dart forward suddenly from a hovering position to catch their insect-prey. They then take their catch to a favoured perch to eat it.
Male common darters are bright red while the females and immature adults are golden-brown. There are several similar-looking red darters which can be very difficult to tell apart.
The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
A female Black Darter Dragonfly.
There were quite a few of these small dragonflies about when we were in Scotland. They are only around 30mm in length.
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The vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter (S. striolatum).
I'd been trying to get a shot of a Black Darter resting on flowering heather for a few weeks and was lucky enough on Monday to find this female perched amongst some fresh flowers on Ramsley Moor, Derbyshire
A species that always looks at home amongst the heather. I found this male of the species by a small moorland pool on the moorland of the Upper Derwent Valley in Derbyshire. There were a few other Black Darters around the pool, including one female that was ovipositing around its peaty edges. All the time there was a Common Hawker patrolling the pool, chasing off any Black Darter that came into its orbit. It even harassed one into falling into the pool where it quickly became waterlogged.
Black Darter (Sympetrum danae)
Appearance: Colored male black Darter live up to their name with their mainly black colored body. The female is yellow with a distinct black marking across the abdomen which is also unique among heather dragonflies. For both sexes, the species has 3 yellow dots in black on the side of the chest piece that distinguish them from other heather dragonflies. When I see the species I am always amazed at how small they actually are. Appearance: The species can fly locally in huge numbers. They are most common in fens, but are also found in pioneer pools or low moor areas. For example, the species occurs en masse in some places in the weather ribs.
Flight time: June to October.
Taken at Sandy Camp Rd Wetlands Reserve, Lytton, Queensland.
Drying those feathers before the temperature drops at night is a chore that many Darters have to put up with after a days fishing.
the african darter (anhinga rufa) is really related to the american anhinga.as my opinion anhingas are a bit awkward when on the ground but so beautiful when flying.
Chobe river ,BW
originla HD3K file here:
anhinga rufa
Afrikaanse slangenhalsvogel
Anhinga d'Afrique
Afrika-Schlangenhalsvogel
Anhinga Africana
Aninga africana
mergulhão-serpente-africano
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Doi Suthep-Pui NP, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Hesperiidae
Sub-Family : Hesperiinae
Genus : Potanthus
Species : Potanthus confucius dushta
I have uploaded the first batch of 30 pics from my 2019 expedition to Thailand on my website. If you are interested in seeing them please click the following link. The link takes you directly to the relevent page -
All my insect pics are one shot, hand-held macros of live insects in the wild.
The Red Dragonfly, also known as Red-Veined Darter or Nomad is technically known as Sympetrum Fonscolombii, and belongs to the Sympetrum genus. It is widespread in the southern parts of Europe, and since 1990s, it has also become a common species in the northwestern part of Europe including Ireland and Britain.
The Japanese consider red dragonflies to be “very sacred,” offering a symbol of courage, strength and happiness. American Indians believe red dragonflies can “bring a time of rejuvenation after a long period of trials and hardship.”
A dark body stealthily swims through a lake with only a snakelike head poking above the surface. What may sound like the Loch Ness monster is actually an Anhinga, swimming underwater and stabbing fish with its daggerlike bill. After every dip, it strikes a regal pose on the edges of shallow lakes and ponds, with its silvery wings outstretched and head held high to dry its waterlogged feathers.
Anhinga-African Darter flight_w_9131
Vagrant darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) perched on a branch.
Szablak zwyczajny (Sympetrum vulgatum) siedzący na gałązce.
Red-veined darter or nomad (Sympetrum fonscolombii).
Sevastopol, Crimea.
Стрекоза сжатобрюх Фонсколомба. Род стрекозы-каменушки.