Tags
Black darter, Common Darter, dragonflies, flies, hoverflies, Myathropa florea, sitting on the fence
Have you ever noticed that some small beasties like to sit on fences?
I guess fences are often a good spot to sunbathe, and to keep a look out, and they probably resemble logs and branches to the mini-beasts.
Common darter dragonflies are keen fence-sitters – they don’t even mind barbed-wire fences. And I was particularly delighted to find the Black darter dragonfly (below) sitting on a fence at Cosmeston the other day – my first sighting of this species.
Flies and hoverflies also enjoy a spot of fence-sitting and can often be found taking care of their ablutions in such places. So, the next time you decide to sit on the fence, make sure some other creature hasn’t beaten you to it!
earthstar 
Common Darters are so obliging sometimes in that you can get within inches of them on a fence rail and come face to face with them. The only problem is I usually have a telephoto lens on my camera and my compact that I often have with me is not very good at macros. I think a good compact macro has to be on my wish list.
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While birdwatching the other day I was standing so still a Common darter mistook me for a tree and landed on my head, then arm, then shoulder. It was magical … but, yes, long lens on so no pictures. I need to replace my point-and-shoot for just such situations. 🙂
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