Red Darter

Very windy for insect photography today and, as usual when it's windy, the birds were very skittish so I didn't manage to photograph any today outside the garden. We went for a walk to a local reserve, or at least part of it, where very few people go, except dog walkers. There were very few insects and/or butterflies; a common feature of the countryside this year it seems. However there were quite a lot of newly emerged dragonflies in the fields including this Red Darter. The secret with photographing these is to have an immense amount of patience and a quiet approach to them. That is not to say an immense number of expletives are also employed. Sometimes this latter strategy works and they will perch up sufficiently long enough for a shot. I think this is because they take pity on you more than anything else.
Whatever, the swear-box has increased in weight today!