Thursday was a good day for demoiselles. As I strolled along the old Glamorgan canal at Forest Farm Nature Reserve, I was almost constantly entertained by both the Beautiful (Calopteryx virgo) and the Banded demoiselles (Calopteryx splendens), though there were definitely many more of the former than the latter.

 ~ male Beautiful demoiselle

While the females mostly perched quietly on leaves somewhat removed from the males – the only way to escape their attention, the males seldom kept still. They flashed their wings, displaying their metallic blue hues to impress any female that did venture past, and competed with other males for the best territories, those with sun, and shelter, and perches, and suitable places for egg-laying. What was serious breeding business for these stunning creatures was enchanting and magical for me.

~ male Banded demoiselle