Discussion
I've been seeing lots of discarded dragonfly nymph skin cases in the pond recently, but yesterday I was privileged to see it actually happen.
Apologies for the very-slightly-out-of-focus picture...
About 20 minutes after I took this, it gave a final wriggle and broke free, then swam away. Not an adult dragonfly yet!
Apologies for the very-slightly-out-of-focus picture...
About 20 minutes after I took this, it gave a final wriggle and broke free, then swam away. Not an adult dragonfly yet!
I think digging this pond (only about 9 months ago) has been the most rewarding thing I've done in years. I can't believe how quickly the wildlife has taken it over.
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
I'm puzzled what has happened to my tadpoles though. They disappeared overnight - one day there were hundreds of them, mostly in a big huddle near where the spawn was laid, and the next day they were all gone. It's possible they're hiding at the bottom, but I haven't seen a single one. Surely the newts couldn't have eaten them all that quickly??
Simpo Two said:
You might enjoy this: http://www.theiac.org.uk/movies/biaff2014/dragonfl...
The (amateur) video is very good but the maker has made the mistake of doing the VO himself.
Wow - that was stunning... Thanks for posting it!The (amateur) video is very good but the maker has made the mistake of doing the VO himself.
Damsels!!!
I managed to catch this picture today. I think they must have just emerged from the water - note the empty nymph case next to the one on the left, and there were a few others nearby on the leaves of the water forget-me-not...
When I came back about half an hour later, one had gone, and then I saw the second one make its maiden flight.
And the pond has become something of a drinking hole for bees as well. I caught this rather sweet picture. They seem to like landing on the tiny floating plants (a bit like duckweed, but with a more decorative leaf shape). They sip water in between the leaves...
I managed to catch this picture today. I think they must have just emerged from the water - note the empty nymph case next to the one on the left, and there were a few others nearby on the leaves of the water forget-me-not...
When I came back about half an hour later, one had gone, and then I saw the second one make its maiden flight.
And the pond has become something of a drinking hole for bees as well. I caught this rather sweet picture. They seem to like landing on the tiny floating plants (a bit like duckweed, but with a more decorative leaf shape). They sip water in between the leaves...
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