My Favourite Image Mating Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta)

A chance to capture hawker dragonflies in the act of copulation is rather rare, in my opinion anyway.

I was lucky enough to come across this pair of Migrant Hawkers whilst in the act of mating. This species of dragonfly is more approachable than the other hawkers, which facilitates some good close up shots.

These hawkers were totally preoccupied & seemed unaware of the lenses presence.

The male is perched on an upright stem with his anal claspers attached to the rear to the females head. She is clamped on to the his abdomen with her legs.

The act of copulation can last for up to an hour. Once seperated the female lays her eggs alone whilst the male rests nearby to recover.