A few recent Odes

Few insects can match Odonata, (Damselflies and Dragonflies) for speed, manoeuverability, and beauty. Add to that their partly aquatic, extraordinary 3-stage life cycle and further, their value to the environment (they play vital ecological roles) – what’s not to like? Their only problem – some can be challenging to photograph!

Common Flatwing (Picnic Point)

The Common Flatwing breaks the rule that 'Damselflies rest with their wings closed'. The Common Flatwing is mostly found near running streams, although sometimes I’ve seen them some distance from water. They can be locally common some seasons.

Blue Skimmer (Coronet Bay)

Blue Skimmers usually inhabit still water habitats: swamps, bogs, dams, etc. This eye-catching Dragonfly often makes photographing it a bit easier: it patrols its territory and rests often and frequently on the same stick, plant or rock.

Tau Emerald (Drouin)

Tau Emeralds are large Dragonflies and strangely will often allow photographers to approach quite close before zooming off. The tau (T) marking on the frons (forehead) that is a good identifier is very clear on this individual. It is not unusual to see this Dragonfly in home gardens, especially if you have a fish/frog pond.

Swamp Tigertail (Mt Baw Baw)

Swamp Tigertails tend to inhabit swampy, boggy seepages in alpine locations.

Bronze Needle (Robin Hood)

This Damselfly also prefers running water habitat for its larvae and is usually easy to find beside streams in this district. Bronze Needles are endemic to s-e Australia.

Yellow-striped Hunter (Garfield)

Yellow-striped Hunters are small to medium-sized Dragonflies. Their eyes are on the top of their heads and separated like Damselflies. They tend to inhabit streams and rivers mostly.