A delightful setting. A rare opportunity which I was in a position to exploit on the day, in what has not been a good year for hunting Dragonflies. Overall far too cold with only one or two excessivly hot days, despite the woe, woe and thrice woe allegations of record high temperatures. Dragonflies don't believe that and I don't either: August 1st. 2022
This is the powerful male. Not the biggest UK Dragonfly (see Golden-ringed) but very powerful and here, in behaviour I have not witnessed before, being repeatedly mobbed by Azure Damselflies. Wherever it went to rest it was pursued, which helped me get this image. Foolhardy behaviour as I have an image of an Emperor with a (blue) Damselfly lunch. I also have an image of a female ovipositing at The Pond (Goyt Valley) and that sighting confirmed by the British Dragonfly Society. I have also seen the male but they patrol a big area and are impossible to pin down at The Pond. I know exactly where to go to get these, which have a minimum size of pond they deem acceptable. This species makes an early start in the season with the Chasers and is unmistakable patrolling endlessly: June 29th.
Good shot but a poor image. shot at a great distance and further than I would normally even attempt to shoot. The sighting however important and confirmed then by the British Dragonfly Society as an Emperor female sighting at The Pond in the Goyt Valley. Often see the male on the wing patrolling but never at rest on this large site. I have never seen a female at rest anywhere as I recall. I have better stills and indeed video of ovipositing shot in the local Thereabouts area: June 24th.
The female ovipositing after mating. They mate briefly on the wing: June 29th.
