Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
Photography by Chris Brooks
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The Black Tailed Skimmer
This is a mid season dragonfly, appearing from mid / late May and can be seen on the wing through to mid / late August.
One of the four blue bodied dragonflies found in the United Kingdom. It could be easily confused with the Scarse Chaser; however they rarely appear at the same site together and the Scarse Chaser has black tips to its wings.
The Keeled Skimmer is somewhat smaller and lacks the black tail segments, whilst the much sturdier Broad Bodied Chaser has a wider abdomen.
The Black Tailed Skimmer is generally a stillwater species and is usually one of the first dragonflies to colonise newly dug gravel pits. It's also found on canals and slow flowing rivers.
The immature male and the female are similar in appearance in that they are of a yellow / straw colour with two irregular stripes running along their abdomen. Close examination of their anal appendages will determine the sex, the females being widely spaced apart.
The female dulls as it matures whilst the males abdomen turns a fine shade of blue with black segments towards its tip. Both sexes have fine clear wings and the costa's are yellow.
Several photographic issues are discussed in the overview.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge the images)
Photographic Overview - The Black Tailed Skimmer
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.
This can be a very frustrating subject to photograph as it has a habit of settling on lighter patches of open or bare ground. This creates some exposure problems which can render the subject somewhat dark owing to the camera taking its readings from the lighter background. Although this can be compensated for you will rarely have the time to do so. In addition whilst settled on the ground there is very little cover and this species can be quite difficult to approach in the first place.
On a very hot day the male Black Tailed Skimmer in particular, can be seen perching on bankside vegetation and this offers some of the best opportunities for some really good images as they appear to be more tolerant to an approach.
The Skimmers share a trait with the Darters in that when perching they will often to do with their wings pushed forwards at 45 degrees. If taking side view shots you will have to use a wide depth of field to get the maximum detail in focus. However this dragonfly is more prone to perch with its wings in a near crucifix position therefore top down shots using a narrower depth of field are possible.
If you want to know more about this species, then follow this link - To Narrative
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 and that you'll return again soon.
All of these photographs were taken by and remain the property of Chris Brooks
Page Updated 11/09
Chris Brooks Photography
(www.dragonfly-images.co.uk)
