Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens)

Quick ID Link

The Keeled Skimmer

This is another of the United Kingdom,s blue bodied dragonflies; however this active skimmer is some what 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 and 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 and is much larger.

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 and can be seen on streams, ditches, seepages and pools. They 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 United Kingdom 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; therefore taking top down shots is rather awkward as the wings will be mostly hidden and certainly lacking detail.

To combat this use a wide depth of field setting to obtain the maximum depth of focus and take your images from the side. It is unlikely that you will get both wings in focus, therefore concentrate on the front wing and the body of the dragonfly.

Another issue is that 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.

If you want to know more about this species, then follow this link - To Narrative

Like to see further images of this dragonfly, then follow this link - To Further Images

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 my website and that you'll return again soon.

Page Updated 06/10

All of these photographs were taken by and remain the property of Chris Brooks

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