Southern Hawker - female ovipositing into soil.

Brilliant photo Ilex :)

oh...wow.....

I am amazed by this photograph.

Fantastic....such an incredible insect!

Was you on the floor taking this love how the markings look like its got a larger head.

He's got his flying goggles on Sixpence :))

Lol Aster.

Thanks everybody!

Sixpence - I did lie down slowly in front of her to get this shot yes. Luckily she was concentrating on laying her eggs so she didn't seem to mind me at all....

Actually this species is unlike all other British Dragonflies in that they display great curiosity and boldness and often come straight up to hover in front of you to check out who you are. It's also unusual in that the female lays her eggs on dry land - as this one is doing. They choose a place that they hope will be underwater when the eggs hatch next spring, but if it's not then the young larvae can wriggle their way to the water on their own.

looks allmost like a cartoon . fab.