Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)

Common Darter

The Common Darter, as its name suggests can be found in large numbers throughout most of the United Kingdom.

This Darter can be found on almost any body of water from ponds, rivers, lakes, seepages, ditches & even brackish / salty water pools.

It can be first seen in early July and can survive through to the first frosts of the autumn, usually in late October but occasionally later in the year. Usually it will be one of the last dragonflies you will see on the wing each season.

Mature males have a brick red abdomen which appears a far lighter colour than in its close relative the Ruddy Darter.

The Common Darter has lighter eyes and a light stripe along its legs. The Ruddy Darter has all black legs, this feature is perhaps the main key identifying feature between the two (2) species.

The females do not exhibit red on their abdomens and can be between a grey and a yellow / beige colour. They may be easily confused with the immature male, the anal appendages will need examination to determine the sexes from one another.

Photographic Overview - The Common Darter

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 Darter is very fond of perching in the sun on the top of standing vegetaion and is relatively approachable, therefore images are fairly easy to obtain. This is not so during copulation, when the pair can be very wary.

Top down shot opportunities are rare and the depth of field once again becomes an issue, owing to the darters habit of pointing its wings forward at 45 degrees whilst at rest. This means that side view shots are the best in my opinion, utilising a wide depth of field to cature the widest field of focus across the angled wings. Very occasionally a top down shot is possible, especially when they dance in the wind from their exposed perch.

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.