Blog Layout
Lisa G Saw • June 7, 2023

Banded Demoiselles

We sit down on the riverbank in the late afternoon sunshine to relax and enjoy a few quiet moments in the warmth. Summer has arrived! I’m so happy and content, having had a wonderful day out. Bob and I have been in our element, photographing dragonflies and damselflies on the water, relishing all the other unexpected surprises that nature had in stall for us today.

 

The timing of our mindfulness moment isn’t great. The peacefulness and serenity is disturbed. Within seconds, I can hear youthful squeals of excitement as a family approaches. There’s also the unmistakeable sound of a dog splashing in water. Suddenly it appears, from behind a tree, swimming with a long stick in its mouth – a German Shepherd. It promptly scrambles up the bank right beside us, soaked, dripping with water. It’s rather too close for comfort - dangerously close to our cameras. I’m well aware of the inevitable body shake that’s coming. Thank goodness it moves further away from us first. After a few brief polite exchanges, the family pass by and soon their voices fade into the distance. Ah! The peace! It's blissful!

 

The welcome breeze cools my face as my eyes peruse the river. It's creating gentle ripples in the water. But, nearer the side it's still, shielded by the vegetation. Serene and calm. From the murky depths of the chocolate coloured river, some reeds are growing. Near the surface, where the water is clearer, I can see them gently moving with the current, like floating thick strands of hair. A few blades poke up into the air, swaying gently, bending in the breeze. I feel the calm wash over me as I watch how they move.


Delicately perched on one reed is a gorgeous male Banded Demoiselle with its wings closed together. The metallic green colour of its body shines gloriously in the sun. The band of dark green near the end of its clear wings stands out beautifully too. These damselflies are unmistakable. Stunning.

It's not the only one in view. I can see about a dozen all spread out, resting on different reeds. Some are slightly more metallic blue than green. They're less mature. It’s good to see a healthy population of the Banded Demoiselles here, though a week ago I recall how the river was teeming with them. There had to be well over a hundred flying around. I'd never seen so many before in one short stretch of river. At one time, I even saw five males all resting on a single reed.

The moments of calm, when all the Banded Demoiselles are resting, are interrupted by sudden bursts of movement. It only takes one male to take to the wing and then suddenly, all the others nearby, launch up and join the fray. They're defending their tiny patch of the river. These territorial displays happen frequently. The mass of fluttering banded wings is mesmerising to watch as they all quickly dart around, barely a foot above the water. Then, just as abruptly, they all fly off in different directions to their own favoured reed and settle once more. All seems peaceful again, for a few brief glorious moments.

The males are alert and scoping the scene for females they can mate with. It’s not surprising, since they only live in this adult form for up to two weeks. There isn’t time to waste. Reproduction is the number one priority – for the females too. I see one fly by, fleetingly. The golden green coloured abdomen is distinct. There’s also a trail of males following her in hot pursuit. They quickly disappear out of sight beyond the tall reeds growing at the edge of the river. I don’t see which is the successful male. It looks like it isn’t one of my dozen as they’re all back on their perches once more.

 

Earlier in the day, I’d seen a few pairs flying in tandem. It sometimes looks like the female is unwillingly being dragged along by the male. His abdomen is attached to her just behind the eyes. It doesn’t look comfortable. It's only when they settle, on a reed or leaf, that she curls under and attaches herself to his abdomen and the mating wheel is created. I recall seeing it several times last weekend. It was my first time for this species, so it was pretty special.

My attention has been so focused on watching the Banded Demoiselles, I scarcely noticed the birds singing around us or any of their activity. Suddenly, a Swallow appears flying low and fast along the river. It takes my breath away as I watch it skim the surface with its beak wide open, right in front of us. In a flash, it’s up and away again. I smile. It’s incredible how they drink water on the move like that. Wonderful! What a treat!


Water is such an amazing thing. Not only is it vital to support life, but the sound and movement of it soothes the soul. So too does the sight of life on and around the river. I feel so at peace when I have the opportunity to connect with nature and feel a part of something much bigger than myself.

Argentina

By Lisa G Saw • February 13, 2025
PRIOR TO EPIC ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE I'd given up the idea of visiting Antarctica after the trip I was booked on in November 2020 was cancelled due to Covid. It was meant to be a 50th Birthday treat for myself. As you can imagine, it was hugely disappointing. With the future looking so uncertain at that time, especially being self-employed, I abandoned the idea of going because it was just so much money. I know there were many people that had cancelled holidays then, including Bob's son, Matt, who'd been due to visit Madagascar. In 2024, Matt was finally having that dream holiday and when we were having a meal out one evening he was talking about his impending trip. For the first time in ages, I mentioned my own disappointment and how it didn't seem likely I'd go to the Antarctic, especially as Bob didn't seem interested in going. In a rather bizarre turn of events, later that same evening Matt received some information from Birdquest about a 50% discount on an Antarctic trip leaving in 6 weeks with Oceanwide Expeditions. I couldn't believe it! What's more, after reading about the trip and the dates, I realised it coincided with my mid term break in classes, and so it seemed entirely possible I could go. I'd have to extend my break from teaching to allow enough time to travel to/from South America and for the 21 days of the trip, but it seemed crazy not to take advantage of this amazing offer. I was keen to go, Bob was less so, and we took a weekend to think about it, look at all the costs involved, before making a decision. In that time, we nearly both talked ourselves out of going. For me, it was largely to do with whether I should go, considering the impact such a voyage has on the polar region and also my carbon footprint. After much deliberation, I decided it was such an amazing opportunity, I didn't want to pass it up. I needed to let go of any guilt in choosing to go and it was also important to me to find some balance - such as making a donation, sharing the photos and the experience not only in this blog, but by giving talks. This was in alignment with my greater purpose, which is to inspire people to care about nature and this planet and not just what's on our own doorstep, but all around the world. I'd actually given up the hope that Bob would join me, but as we looked through the promotional photos for the trip, he suddenly said, 'Okay! Just book it!' I was so surprised, but thrilled he was going to join me. What an amazing experience we would have together. I quickly booked before he could change his mind and six weeks later we were flying out to Argentina to begin our epic adventure.
Scotch Argus

Cumbria Revisited

By Lisa G Saw • December 4, 2024
Earlier in the year, Bob and I had a wonderful holiday up in Scotland, focusing mostly on the Isle of Mull. I've written several blog posts about this trip, which you can read by clicking on this link . However, at the start and the end of our time up north, we went looking for new butterfly species for me - ones we don't see in the south of England. I'm currently in the process of trying to see all UK butterfly species. During our last few days of that holiday, we were in Cumbria searching for the Large Heath, Northern Brown Argus and the Mountain Ringlet. It was too early for the High Brown Fritillary following the cool damp spring, however, there was a chance of seeing some in early August, albeit potentially very tatty and right at the end of their flight season. We'd already started mulling over the idea of returning to Cumbria at that time of year to see another butterfly species new to me, the Scotch Argus. The opportunity to see both species was too tempting to pass by. So, we returned to Cumbria on 6th August, but this time just for two days. It was all we could fit in to our schedule.

Cumbria Highlights

By Lisa G Saw • November 15, 2024
After our wonderful holiday up in Scotland, which I've written about in my previous posts - the last of which was Other Mull Highliahts - Bob and I headed to Cumbria. It was a great way for us to break up our journey south. We were based in Kendal. We had three full days and three new butterfly species for me to find: Large Heath, Northern Brown Argus and Mountain Ringlet. None of these species can be found in the south and I'm currently on a quest to see all species of Butterfly in the UK (mainland). I knew it was going to be a challenge because once again, the weather really wasn't on our side with mostly rain, wind and overcast conditions. But, after our success in Fort William and seeing my first Chequered Skipper in less than ideal conditions, I was optimistic there was still a chance of success, albeit small. DAY 1 Our focus on the Saturday was the Large Heath butterfly. It's a species that's endangered in the UK because so much of its habitat has been destroyed. They like wet boggy land and Meathop Moss Nature Reserve is a great place to see them. It was less than 30 minutes drive from our hotel. We headed off in really dreary weather wondering how the day ahead would unfold.
Show More
Share by: