Scarce Chaser - Immature. by Onslow

Photography • Animals • posted on May 30, 2006

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

This dragon fly is aptly named it is only found in 6 sites in the UK. They are on the endangered species list because of this. The problem is one of threatened habitat as they will only breed in slow flowing lowland rivers. Just the type of place that has disappeared from much of the UK in the last century, or been polluted, or suffered from increased pleasure activity from people. The photograph is of an immature one, distinguished by its colour and markings. I hope to get the opportunity to photograph the mature creature in a few weeks time. By then the males will have changed colour. The males becoming blue with black markings the females retaining a similar colouration to they have now. This photograph was taken in the fens near Cambridge, UK. It is a sad fact much of this type of environment has gone forever, it is only now we are realising in this crowded little island of ours that it is not always wise to build over water catchment areas and lowland flood plains anyway, that is beside the damage and loss to the habitat of creatures like this, caused by such developments. Fortunately Britain is blessed with a very diverse and rich environment, it is not all doom, there are many places where people work very hard to maintain and restore areas to their former beauty. Where the photograph was taken is one such area, staffed by volunteers they do a fabulous job of maintaining the area as a nature reserve and enabling access to the public so we can see the wonderful things nature can show us. Many thanks for viewing and any comments left. Richard.

Comments (21)

)

Marsille

1:21PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Thank you so much for sharing this beauty with us, as well as the story of it's plight.. Even though this country is huge, we have much the same problem in the US..

)

Nath06

1:23PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Perfect macro!!! Bravo :)

)

iaacf

1:25PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Yes, I know what you're talking about. It always seems to be the same problem.. people destroying natural environments sometimes without even knowing.. or caring about what they are doing. This image is.. superbe !!!

)

ACS-001

1:31PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Amazing! I don't think I've ever seen a photo so sharp you can see the little webbing on the dragonfly's wings. Awesome post!

)

Cosme..D..Churruca

1:54PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

So neat this shot, is perfect. Like a lot !

)

Hedepo

2:24PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Wowwww What a fantastic Macro, so sharp and clear!! Excellent photo!!

)

lafayette

3:33PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Another perfect macro, fantastic in the details!

glennn23

3:40PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Wonderful image! Superb clarity and fantastic all-round image! Well done +++

)

busi2ness

3:41PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Excellent sharpness and clarity (as always!) and the facts very interesting. Colour and contrast very good!

)

Lledeline

4:01PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Awesome capture

)

tommorules

4:24PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Trying to be positive for a moment, it can only be hoped that the new habitats being formed at (for example) many old gravel pits such as here in Derby provide suitable living conditions for these sorts of creatures. I don't think our island is that small, but the public need awareness of the risks to its diversity; people like yourself help & various wildlife trusts around the country with the will & some funding and effort can help keep these species going to a degree, but there simply is no substitute for making a pain the neck of yourself with your local MP. People tend to think that they get hundreds of letters a day from the public, but the opposite is true. The chances are that if 5 people write on the same subject to their MP then some sort of action will be taken. I suggest you take this up with yours as it is clearly something dear to your heart!

)

Margana

4:59PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Fabulous capture Richard.I look forward to seeing the mature adult.It's such a shame about their being endangered.Hopefully,there are enough concerned individuals that something can be done before it's too late.Hope you have/had a wonderful evening.-M :^)

)

danob

5:43PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

Yes they are now cat 3 on the endangered list with the Avon flowing through Wiltshire we have them here.. Lovely shot and nice work in the write up Richard

pinkpixel

6:02PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

WOW look at those wings, the colors, the clarity, that is an amazing image thankyou for sharing it with us.... It is a shame like so many creatures these days are becoming extinct because of population growth and the urban spread, we invade their habitats and we lose these fab creatures forever.

)

Zacko

6:53PM | Tue, 30 May 2006

One of these days i hope i get a chance to travel across England, seeing the countrysides and so on. And one of these days i hope i too get to capture a dragonfly. And if it comes out half as good as yours, then ill be one happy swede. This shot is pure perfection my friend. And your presentation is clean and classy. Great stuff Richard. #:O)

)