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Wednesday 1 July 2009

Reddish Vale 8

Banded Denoiselle
Calopteryx splendens

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Wingspan approximately 60mms, It can be seen flying around May to the end of August It feeds off other insects, which are caught while flying. Found around slow flowing rivers, streams, canals and the mill ponds here at Reddish Vale. This is the largest of our damselflies and these are the firsts ones I've managed to capture with my camera... these are infact 3 different ones and are just 3 of many I saw on the morning I visited the Vale. Early morning is the best time to catch them sitting still, as soon as the sun gets up and warms them they are off.
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The males have these dark coloured patches on their wings. These are used in a fluttering dance to attract females. Their bodies are an iridescent blue/green colour.

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The females do not have the tinted dark patches on their wings, and their bodies are an iridescent pale green colour. Alas I did not see one of them. The banks of the pond and river had plenty of males about but not a single female was about that I could see.

Grey Heron

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The largest European heron. It can stand with neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunch down with its neck bent over its chest. In flight it holds its neck retracted and has large rounded wings. This looks like a youngster to me, it was very tatty looking...

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I came across this story last week and thought others who read this blog might find this of interest. Heron Eating A Rabbit

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A rare sighting of late on this blog... this is thee Green Backed, Yellow Brested, Blue Legged, Wifelet... other wise know as Jane.

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We enjoyed a peaceful walk around the vale last week and took bread to feed the water fowl.. these ducks got the lions share. More from here again tomorrow, I hope you have enjoyed the views and wildlife.

9 comments:

imac said...

Thats sure is a rare bird,lol.Bless her little cotton socks Jane.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

What a wonderful wonderful shot of a rare bird. Wifelets are extinct around here. I miss their domestic ways.

Tom said...

Yes Philip... they spend their time constantly renewing and tidying their nest site... and carry on feeding their young well after they have flown the nest. Adult male tend to get left to look after them selves once the mating season ends.. ha!

Anonymous said...

Cotton socks. ? LOL

I do like the photos Tom.

SandyCarlson said...

That first critter sure is a curvy gal! Very nice. That looks like a wonderful place to be.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Very beautiful images especially the rare bird known as a Jane. I am bowled over by the heron head shot. I am still way to distant even with the telephoto for ours.

lv2scpbk said...

Love the blue color on the winged thing. Sorry forgot the name of it. Lol.

Kerri Farley said...

Those damselflies are AWESOME Tom! Fantastic captures! And I LOVE the Heron too.....I can NEVER get that close to one...even with my long lens.
Wonderful post!!

Willard said...

A wonderful group of wildlife photos, Tom, and now I have learned of a new species "The Wifelet".

I love your sense of humor-you have made many days much brighter by things such as this.