Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)

The Azure Damselfly

The Azure Damselfly can be slightly more localised than other blue varieties; however once located they can be observed in quite large numbers.

They are best seen in late May and early June when they are at their most active and colourful but they can be seen on the wing from late April in a warm spring to early May right through to late August.

The Azure Damselfly can be seen on a wide range of mainly still waters but can also be encountered on the slower sections of rivers and streams.

They are often seen at the same sites as other blue varieties; however identication can be difficult without a close inspection.

The best way to tell the male blue varieties of damselfy apart is by the shape of the markings on the top of the abdomen just behind the wings on segment 2.

Each species having a distinct and a unique pattern, the Azure Damselfly having a fine "U" shaped mark which has no stem.

It could be easily confused with the Variable Damselfly which has darker markings and a far more prominent wine glass mark on segment 2. It is best to identify the females whilst in the presence of a male as it is very similar in appearance to the female Common Blue damselfly.

Quick ID Link

Photographic Overview - The Azure Damselfly

All of my images are taken in handheld mode without the use of any camera support and this overview is written with that in mind. In addition my primary aim is to achieve the whole of the subject in focus.

This is a very amenable species to photograph and it will tolerate some really close up shots. The Azure Damselfly does have a tendancy when perched on flat leaves to slightly spread its wings. This can lead to depth of field issues, if your aim is to get both sets of wing tips in sharp focus.

A wide depth of field is necessary to achieve this and an aperture of perhaps F12 or F13 should be used, which in bright weather will still enable hand held photography. As an alterntive top down shots can be attempted to obtain resonable results.

Confused backgrounds are difficult to avoid owing to the tendancy of this species to perch in dense vegetation, there is little you can do about this issue.

If you want to know more about this species, then follow this link - To Narrative

Like to see further images of this damselfly, then follow this link - To Further Images

If you want to see the best of these images, then follow this link - To Slide Show

These images were obtained by stealth and patience alone, no other non photographic techniques were used. I hope you have enjoyed browsing my website and that you'll return again soon.

Page Updated 05/11

All of these photographs were taken by and remain the property of Chris Brooks

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