Dragonflies and Damselflies

Some static ones (I failed miserably trying to catch them in flight...:cry:)

1: Libellula depressa
2: Calopteryx virgo
3: No idea (not in my primitive book...)
4: Libellula depressa
If I may correct you:
1 and 4: scarce chaser (libellula fulva):
basal patches only at the hind wing pair.
Libellula depressa has patches on all 4 wing bases. And it has brown compound eyes.
But be happy. These are much rarer than the Libellula depressa ;)
2: banded demoiselle (calopteryx splendens). Calopteryx virgo has fully blue wings.
3: was tough for me, too - a few years ago.
It is a very young/immarture female darter, still yellow, but turning brownish within a few days.
I suppose it is a vagrant darter (sympetrum vulgatum)

Libellula depressa (5 D IV + EF 100-400)
Again, scarce chaser (libellula fulva). But beautiful highlights :)
 
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I did this comparison last year. But I think it is a good time to repost this to help those unsure to help IDing quite similar species.

Finally my 2022 edition of the "ultimate :ROFLMAO: blue dragonfly" comparison, all shot throughout the last few days.
Enjoy...

blacktailed skimmer, male (orthetrum cancellatum)
  • no basal spots on any wings
  • mature have green eyes
View attachment 204035

scarce chaser, male (aka. blue chaser, libellula fulva)
  • basal spots only on the hind wings, fine basal lines on the fore wings
  • mature have blue eyes
View attachment 204034

broad-bodied chaser, male (libellula depressa)
  • large basal spots on all four wings
  • mature have brown eyes
View attachment 204033
 
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If I may correct you:
1 and 4: scarce chaser (libellula fulva):
basal patches only at the hind wing pair.
Libellula depressa has patches on all 4 wing bases. And it has brown compound eyes.
But be happy. These are much rarer than the Libellula depressa ;)
2: banded demoiselle (calopteryx splendens). Calopteryx virgo has fully blue wings.
3: was tough for me, too - a few years ago.
It is a very young/immarture female darter, still yellow, but turning brownish within a few days.
I suppose it is a vagrant darter (sympetrum vulgatum)


Again, scarce chaser (libellula fulva). But beautiful highlights :)
Thank you, Maximilian.
I've just ordered a better book, a specific one about dragonflies! I hope I'll be better next time.
I should have known not to rely solely on pictures for identification...
 
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Thank you, Maximilian.
I've just ordered a better book, a specific one about dragonflies! I hope I'll be better next time.
I should have known not to rely solely on pictures for identification...
And if you are unsure, ask the community. I'm always willing to help. (see also my PM).
For me, it almost became an obsession to find out which species is in front of my lens.
 
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