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#10
Eastern Pygmyfly Nannophya dalei
After a second visit to this site within a couple of weeks I still saw many of these small dragonflies.
I have more photos from this day
and more information on Nannophya dalei.
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#9
Common Flatwing Austroargiolestes icteromelas
This is one of the most common damselfly species in my hunting patch.
This female is perched on a mossy rock near a river in central Victoria
and I took a lateral photo to show the patterns on the side of the thorax
(compare with Austroargiolestes calcaris below).
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#8
Alpine Redspot Austropetalia tonyana
This is a large dragonfly with distinctive spots along the front edge of its forewings.
I had seen a few before but at this waterfall I saw about twice as many again on
this day in mid November.
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#7
Eastern Pygmyfly Nannophya dalei
At this dam in Bunyip State Park I stumbled across a healthy population of
one of the smallest dragonflies, a species I had been trying to track down.
The males (mature ones have a black head and thorax and bright red abdomen)
have the habit of flicking their tails down.
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#6
Powdered Flatwing Austroargiolestes calcaris
Another side-view of a male of this species so the patterns on the side of the thorax can clearly
be seen allowing this species to be identified properly.
Interestingly, on this visit to the Cathedral Ranges I saw these damsels 100m or so from the water
but I didn't see any odonata at the water.
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#5
Wandering Percher Diplacodes bipunctata
I was looking for the elusive Nannophya dalei
at this wetland in Rowville, having seen this species for the first time
3 years ago at this location.
I didn't get to see them but I saw a few of these common dragonflies, the males can get quite red.
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#4
Powdered Flatwing Austroargiolestes calcaris
A moderately common species, more likely in hilly country (including the hills east of Melbourne).
I observed a male and a female in Gembrook on this occasion but at the time
I thought they were the more common Austroargiolestes icteromelas.
Only after processing the photos that night did I consider they might be
the Powdered Flatwing and, with the help of some more knowledgeable,
I am now confident of being able to distinguish these species in the wild.
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#3
Australian Emperor Hemianax papuensis
The largest common dragonfly you're likely to see in Victoria,
this was one of only a few insects in one of my favourite places (in the Snowy River National Park).
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#2
Tau Emerald Hemicordulia tau
This is a common medium–large dragonfly and also early in the season.
These were at Wilson Botanic Garden in Berwick, which is at the site of a former quarry
and the rear lake is accessible and reasonably healthy
(good for bird-watching and dragonflies).
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#1
Wandering Percher Diplacodes bipunctata
This species is reliably one of the first species of the season and remains common throughout the season.
I photographed this one near St Andrews in central Victoria in mid September
lifting its tail towards the obelisk position,
which some dragonflies to on hot days apparently to absorb less of the sun's energy.
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