My Favourite Image Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)

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

Immature males and females have bright yellow abdomens. The males abdomen slowly turning to a 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 & in particular the dead uprights of last years vegetation.

These Chasers can be best approached from behind & 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.