Jim Almond has sent further photos and some fascinating detail about the Broad-bodied Chaser emerging from his pond. The dragonfly emerged on 20th May just in time for ‘biblical rains’ which then ensued for a number of days. Jim took these photos on 20-24th May during which time the insect barely moved but hung in there enduring the weather. Small movements proved the dragonfly was definitely alive and then amazingly on the 6th day after emergence it was gone…and Jim’s fairly confident (from it’s concealed position) that it flew and was not eaten. I’ve seen hawker individuals take a couple of days to fly due to cold and wet conditions but 6 days is amazing!
