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@sarahlonges.bsky.social Sep 7, 2026, 10:24 PM

Finding Balance #ShareMondays2026

I went to #ThursleyCommonNNR on Saturday to look for #BlackDarter #dragonflies. It was lovely to see the heather too 💜 @surreyhillsnl.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social #wildlife #nature #odonata

The image captures a detailed, close-up photograph of a black darter dragonfly (Sympetrum danae). It’s positioned facing slightly toward the camera, showcasing its large, dark compound eyes and intricate body texture. The black darter is the only small dragonfly that is almost entirely black. Males are black with dark yellow spots along the sides, while females and juveniles are brownish-yellow. This is an overmature male, its thorax and abdomen appear a dark, dusty blackish-grey colour. Its four clear, membranous wings are spread wide horizontally. The complex, lace-like vein structure of the wings catches the soft light. Small, dark patches (pterostigmata) can be seen near the tips of the wings. It clings tightly with its thin, dark legs to the very end of a bare, slender stick that curves upward from the bottom centre of the frame.
The background consists of a beautifully soft, completely blurred bokeh. It blends muted tones of earthy greens, soft oranges, purples, and browns, from a mix of plants in the natural heathland habitat of Thursley Common NNR, including heathers. Thursley renowned for dragonflies! The black darter is one of my favourites and this is the time of year to look for them. This is the UK’s smallest dragonfly and when they’re keeping still, perched on a twig or heather they’re really hard to spot without disturbing them!! Looking for them makes me completely slow down and take in every aspect of my surroundings, looking for the slightest hint of movement or the shimmer of light on an insect’s wing. That’s how I finally found this one. Much of Thursley is open lowland heath and boggy marshland. It’s internationally important habitat with some extraordinary flora and fauna. Although it’s tricky to access in the wheelchair, there’s a boardwalk that allows people to cross the marshes and ponds while protecting the habitat. It’s this type of habitat with damp moors, heath and bogs, where black darters are most likely to be found.

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