Broad Bodied Chaser (female).

[JohnP]

I tried so hard to get some decent shots of a female Broad Bodied Chaser laying eggs, she was bobbing about over the water dropping eggs here and there. The light was not good and these were the best shots I came away with after a couple of hours at the pond.

 

 

Canon EOS 60D, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
1/2000s f/5.6 at 300.0mm iso1250

[JohnP]

If only it had been a bit brighter. I did learn one thing though the girls come out to play when the boys are away, the boys like the sunshine and don't show up when the sun pops behind a cloud.... then out come the girls...

[FUJI]

John!

These are incredibly beautiful photographs, they remind me very much of the work of Lalique.

I havent seen the theme of this years BBC Countryfile Calendar Photo Competition yet, but one of these should definitely be entered if it fits the theme.

A huge vote from me.

FUJI

[Martyn]

Amazing shots John!

[bugmeister]

Absolutely superb. Just seeing this is rare enough, and to get even one picture at this standard is great work

[JohnP]

Thanks FUJI & Martyn... I find your comments amazing, there was I not feeling that happy with these shots and I feel I could have done better with a little better lighting conditions. I was at this pond a few days ago and the scene was quite different, there were about a dozen males trying to mate with just two females, it was an amazing thing to watch. The males grab the female in flight and carry her off into the vegetation on the bank. I watched all this action for around 3 hours as I've not seen anything like it before. Today there were only two males and one female and as I said earlier the female only came out to lay eggs when it was shady and the boys weren't around.

[ChrisLumix]

Superb shots, and I'm not a bugger.

 

I'm sorry, I'll read that again..

[JohnP]

Just been having a twiddle with another shot I took at the same time.

 

[annie]

Wonderful shots John..I especially like the second, just dipping her tail end in the water.

 

I was watching this happening the other day at the secret pond I have found, so lovely to sit and watch them...