Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens)

The Keeled Skimmer

This is another of the United Kingdoms blue bodied Dragonflies ; however this active skimmer is somewhat smaller in size than the other three.

Although appearing at the same sites as the Broad Bodied Chaser and the Black Tailed Skimmer, it is very readily identifiable.

The Keeled Skimmer has light antehumeral stripes & an all blue abdomen. The Black Tailed variety lacks the stripes and has black tail segments on its abdomen. The Broad Bodied Chaser has a wider abdomen.

The female is straw coloured, particularly when immature. They will dull with age and become quite dark. Immature males are also straw coloured but exhibit extensive black markings on the abdomen.

This small skimmer prefers boggy peaty areas & can be seen on streams, ditches seepages and pools.

It can be seen on the wing from early June, well into August and occasionally into early September.

The Keeled Skimmer is widely distributed across the UK but the sites at which it can be located are very fragmented; however once located they can be found in relatively large numbers.

Photographic Overview - The Keeled 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 is an active species of dragonfly which always seems to be on the move. Therefore framing a good image can be rather problematic for the Odonata photographer. Keeled Skimmers tend to perch with their wings pointing forwards at 45 degrees; rendering top down shots rather awkward and creating depth of field issues across the bredth of the wings. Use a wide depth of field setting to obtain the maximum depth of focus.

They tend to perch on very confused backgrounds and are very fond of heather or grassy areas. These backgrounds will have an impact on your images and a tricky compromise will have to be found between full subject focus, while maintaining a blurred backdrop.

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.