The Variable damselfly

ewkaw(78)

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There is so many new things I learn with the photographs I take. Starting from the simple wild plants that grow around, lichens, mushrooms and finishing on insects and animals. Every time I try to find at least the name of what I just shot, where they live, what are their special tricks.

Today, as I wanted to post those pretty blue insects, I learned that those are Damselflies and not Dragonflies as I used to called them. There is so many types out there, I just thought they are one of the small ones. But there is actually difference between them. One of the things that will tell you what you just shoot are the wings and the way they sit on the body. Dragonflies will have them to the sides when they sit, Damselflies wings will fold along the body.
Tadaaam.. we all learned something new today :)

Variable damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum)

Variable damselfly blue 4.jpg

This one seems to be common in Europe and this pretty blue one is a male. Of course they have to be more showy than females ;).
I found it in a small pond in a park in my hometown last summer. I went to shoot some frogs, got Damselflies instead :) Pretty cool!

Variable damselfly blue 1.jpg

Variable damselfly blue 3.jpg

Busted!

Variable damselfly blue 2.jpg

To show you the difference, here is a Dragonfly that I shot in the same pond on the same day. They both lived there together. See how much fatter it is and hoe the winds sit to the sides? Gorgeous beast!

dragonfly blue bokeh 1.jpg