In this season, these critters can be seen flying above small streams in the East of The Netherlands. We saw these the other day over the river Dinkel:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 300mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/500s
From a distance, they look like butterflies, and they fly a bit like butterflies frolicking about, but then, butterflies don't hunt mosquitos over the water (I wish they did, I hate mosquitos).
These are in fact damselflies called banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), weidebeekjuffer in Dutch.
The males are a beautiful deep blue with a metallic shine and copper detailing:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 135mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/100s
They usually sit over the water on vegetation, so they are difficult to approach. They are also easily disturbed and will then fly away; not the easiest of photo models among damselflies.
This one actually posed willingly, so I took many photos, here's a second one:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 135mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/80s
You can have a look at what the females look like in this post about the first time I saw them this year. Spoiler: they are green.
Thanks for watching!