My Favourite Image Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)

Broad Bodied Chaser

This is a very sturdy medium size dragonfly which exhibits vibrant colourin in the early part of the season.

Immature males and females have bright yellow abdomens. The males abdomen slowly turning to a fine powder blue. Both sexes have bright yellow cusps on the central abdominal segments.

Broad Bodied Chasers are approachable and like to perch on thick stems and in particular the dead uprights of last years emergent vegetation.

These Chasers can be best approached from behind and some really unbelievable close up images are possible.

This immature male specimen was no more than a foot from the lens and it appeared quite unperturbed by my presence. If you do disturb a specimen it should settle again nearby quite readily