[hawthorn]

I was delighted to see this male brown hawker patrolling my garden yesterday and when he landed i was even more delighted that he let me take a picture. what an amazing sight just watching this guy catching flies in mid air, master of the skies.
_________________
"Never trust a man, who when left alone with a tea cosey...Doesn't try it on."
(Billy Connolly)

[Sive]

How amazing! I've never heard of such an insect ( will look up my books!).....your photo is fabulous.
Speaking of insects, I had flocks of small tortoiseshell butterflies all over my flower beds on Thursday (the day before The Deluge!) I've no idea where they suddenly came from, as my garden is at a very early stage and surrounded by farmland.
But it was a magical experience and amply repaid my determination to plant nectar-rich plants.

[Sive]

I forgot to mention that one of my beautiful butterflies was caught and eaten by......a wagtail! Not a nice sight, but it's the natural food-chain I suppose, though I'd say a butterfly must be the equivalent of a huge steak for the wagtail!

[paddy-s]

It's a Dragon Fly

[janelee]

[hawthorn]

yes your right Paddy-s its a dragon fly and my mistake i think its a common Hawker (Aeshna juncea) and not a brown hawker, but dragon fly is a common name used for quite a large range of these insects.
_________________
"Never trust a man, who when left alone with a tea cosey...Doesn't try it on."
(Billy Connolly)

[hawthorn]

Thanks sive the photo was taken in a hurry, i was afraid he would take off before i had the picture taken. this guy was out on the same day you saw your tortoiseshell butterflies, i think it was the sun alright that brought them out. thanks janelee but i think its a common hawker.
_________________
"Never trust a man, who when left alone with a tea cosey...Doesn't try it on."
(Billy Connolly)