Look me in the eye

The amazing bi-coloured eyes of a Red veined Darter. Scarce dragon this. Second generations in Norfolk are a real treat.

Eventually

At last I managed a few half decent shot of some of the Red veined Darters that have been cropping up around the Norfolk coast. If they weren’t sporting worn or tattered wings they were far too far away or hidden in vegetation. A decent photograph seemed impossible.

As I walked adjacent to a small marsh I noticed this male perched on a grass stem overhanging the path. Although he had a small tear in one wing he still looked resplendent in his red chain mail. He stopped just long enough for me to focus and press the shutter. Click to enlarge.

Too Tatty to be Bothered

It seems improbable but it is not only birds that migrate; some insects do too. Just lately there has been an influx into Norfolk of Red veined Darters; scarce visitors, presumably from the continent. There aren’t many, just a few to be found in some coastal wetlands.

Such a journey eventually takes its toll and I watched an individual the other day that was so worn and tatty it couldn’t even be bothered when a meal flew by.