Spiketail

Erland R.N. · Post by **Erland R.N.** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:40 am

Spiketails dragonflies (Cordulagaster) are very large and live in streaming water. In May I had my first sighting of a Spiketail ever, a Pacific Spiketail in California. A female flew between my legs, to the bank of the small creek, and with the body in a vertical position, continously spiked its ovipositor down in the water laying eggs.

Now in Scandinavia we only have one species, Cordulegaster boltoni. I went to Sweden with a couple of friends for some Odonata photographing, and was pleased to find this species at a small creek.
There were 5-8 males flying around us, not taking any notice of us at all, just perching regulary for some photos

A male Cordulegaster Boltoni (Spiketail), 7th July 2006
5D, Sigma 180 f/3.5, monopod, uncropped, iso200, f/9, 1/200s

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:18 am

Very nice photo of a beautiful dragonfly...good job

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:43 pm

This is a lovely dragonfly. The body isn't as stout as some, almost has damselfly-ish qualities.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:23 pm

That is pretty! Amazing how many colours these things come in. Beautiful shot.

salden · Post by **salden** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:51 am

Beautiful specimen. Excellent details.