.
I already had spotted as many as 12 Damselfly nymphs in my small wildlife (no fish) pond but I think they may have come in with the water plants I was given as I only created the pond last June. I exclusively use river water as there's a small one within walking distance - Rainwater is a good alternative but never tap water if you want a healthy pond for creatures.
I was very surprised indeed to suddenly spot a Large Red Damselfly,
Pyrrhosoma nymphula, in the process of egg laying the other day. She laid in oxygenator plants and evenly spread eggs throughout the pond in six locations, resting briefly on a Devon Pink rock halfway through. I was amazed how unperturbed the Damsel was but then realised that if you were on the toilet (equivalent of squeezing out eggs) and someone stuck a camera in yer face you wouldn't really have much choice.
As I've said with most of my macro photography, technically I'm not going to win any awards but they're shots I'm pleased with using the limitations of my compact digital (useless on Manual!) FinePix F200EXR. It's a perfect example why it's best to always have a camera in your pocket - I'd have missed the pics otherwise.
^ The pond (to show environment).
^ I was so focussed on shooting the Damselfly that I didn't notice the Water Measurer (
Hydrometra stagnorum) to the right. If the Damsel hadn't been preoccupied unloading eggs I reckon she'd have had him for dinner! The other chap/chapesse in the pic is a Great Pond Snail - They are actually bisexual.
^ Damselfly nymph.
