
And there we have it, the Small Red Damselfly, I hope you are impressed. Put into context this is probably East Anglia’s rarest odonata. It only occurs at the one site, the nearest colonies are in the most south, south/west counties or west Wales! In these areas it is at it’s most northern range in Europe. The Small Red is typically found in acidic pools on heath and bog, hence the need for the rubber boots!

I carefully and slowly squelched my way through the bog keeping my eyes peeled for any movement, the smell not the most pleasant. In recent years these damselflies have been in very low numbers and fears are that the colony may die out. Suddenly a weak fluttering ahead, careful approach, not this time, it was a Large Red one of our commonest damsels. Then another, a quick record shot, zoom in on the back of camera and YES! Red legs, all red body this was my target. It moved around low in the luxuriant plant growth, teasing me, and then it alighted on a lone reed stem as if to say “I give up, go on take your photos and leave me alone”. And that’s what I did and I couldn’t ask for a nicer set of shots. In all I found at least four Small Reds including a female. Another red-letter day.

Keeping to the red theme. Butterflies have been very thin on the ground recently. The changeable weather has not helped but when the sun has shone good numbers of Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) have been in the garden and their flower of choice? Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber).
You managed to take wonderful photos there. I like it very much.
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Huge thanks!
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Wonderful shots as usual! I admire your efforts at finding and photographing these damselflies. You motivate me to go out and find them now. Usually, I just see dragonflies.
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Thanks Hien. Damselflies are as tricky to approach as the big boys but have a charm of their own. Good hunting!
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I can just imagine the pleasure on your face, even standing deep in a smelly bog!
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When I found that damsel the smell vanished! I’m still smiling 😊
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Great photos and description of the difference between the two reds. (I’ll note that in case I see any). We’ve had one or two Admirals and Tortoiseshells around the garden here in Derbyshire. And I saw a Small Heath or two while out walking the hills on Sunday. I’ll soon be back en Suisse to see if I can find something more interesting, though the weather has been awful while we’ve been away – with hailstones bigger than golf balls in places.
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Blimey and I thought our weather was grim!
I’m sure a return ‘home’ will bring more rewards than over here Mike.
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Yes, I’m looking forward to being back in butterfly country. There really are a lot at this time of year. Though as I type, in the glorious sunshine in Hathersage, Tortoiseshells are flitting about.
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Sunshine? What’s that all about, it’s like winter here!
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Just awesome! Bogs are some of the most diverse places on the planet. Good that this place where you captured these wonderful damsels are still able to protect them. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi CJ. Bogs are interesting if somewhat smelly habitats. I really hope these little creatures can survive but numbers are so low and the nearest ones are nearly 200 miles away!
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Wow, seems like a critical crisis. Are there any organizations that are trying to save the area ?
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It’s under the control of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. There is nothing wrong or changed with the habitat it’s the damsel population has crashed but may recover, remember they are at their range limit up here with none nearby to ‘top it up’. Plant life is great, lots of orchids, and everything else is ok.
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Congratulations, Brian! I admire yourt dedication! Superb series of photos.
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Cheers Pete. Some call it dedication others think we’re mad!
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Or sad – which I have been called on more than one occasion, lol! 🙂
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The Red’s were an exciting find and the images are superb!! Well worth the trip and bringing your wellies!
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Thank you Deborah it was a great day.
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😀
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I am quite impressed with your Damselfly results. Exquisite images and red all over. Even the Red Admiral needed some red.👌🏽
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Thank you Greta for your lovely comment.
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Wearing your rubber boots certainly paid off 😊. Wonderful series!
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Absolutely! No chance of seeing them in the dry areas. Thanks for popping over Belinda and keep cool!
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Congrats, Brian, superb shots! And I am impressed, worth the trek! Cheers!
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Thanks Donna, sadly that may be my last lifer this year.
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😦
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I remember seeing the occasional Large Red Damsel Fly by our stream last year, and thinking at the time if that’s a large one how tiny would a Small Red be. Can see their rarity makes it challenging, when it comes to finding them, but the tiny size must make it pretty difficult too. Respect! As ever, great pics.
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It’ the habitat they live in that can be challenging. They do like to keep low down so I got lucky having one pose in a great spot to record some nice shots without getting my knees wet!
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Kudos on yet another lifer! Beautiful damsel and, of course, superbly photographed.
Very nice to add a Large Red for comparison. And a gorgeous Red Admiral for dessert!
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Many thanks for viewing Wally.
My ‘local’ targets are just about done now. There is one more dragon to see but it will be tricky to photograph if I find it as it rarely settles.
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Congratulations again, Brian. What beauties these are. I hope your red letter days continue!
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So do I Tanja, must think of more subjects to see!
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CONGRATULATIONS! Nothing better than having to work hard for a target and come away with the prize in the tin – and wall hanger quality as the cherry on top. Can’t imagine what it takes to traverse through a bog, something tells me it is not pleasant – do you have to worry about any dangers below the muck? Don’t think you have gators there, but I do know your deer have fangs so I can only assume your frogs have laser eyes. Job well done B. After the crap the pandemic brought this is turning out to be a good year for your quests.
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The only real danger is stepping in the wrong spot and going in over the top of my boots! The thought of having to drive home smelling like the bog is a good deterrent to watch my step!
My retirement has certainly helped with the quests. Now if conditions are just right I can go somewhere at the drop of a hat (not 1700 miles though!).
Take care on this run B, no more hospital trips.
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Excellent images, as always!
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Thank you!
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Proper attire certainly makes the pursuit of our subjects much easier…and drier. Forty miles to photograph a single species is dedication. It paid off with some fine images of this splendid damselfly, Brian. And Vanessa is lovely as well. We had one as a neighbor for years but she just moved to be with her grandchildren in Colorado. LOL
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Cheers Steve, appreciate your comment. Forty miles? for some species I’ve been to see that is a quick trip out!
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Great post B
So red by the way
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Thank you my friend!
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