Dragonflies. Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Blue Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum glaucum), Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora), Scarlet Skimmer / Crimson Darter (Crocothemis servilia)

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is found in Southern Europe, north Africa and Asia. It took me quite some time to identify this dragonfly since it’s very similar to the Emperor Dragonfly / Blue Emperor (Anax imperator), except for being smaller and less colourful. Besides A. parthenope tends to hold its abdomen straighter than A. imperator. Unlike blue emperor A. parthenope has a blue saddle with a yellow ring at the base, the rest of its abdomen is brown and the eyes are green. It’s common in much of southern and central Europe, across Asia to Japan and China, and north Africa.

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope)in flight over the water
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Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope)in flight. (by-nc-nd)

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) close-up. (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora), is a medium sized dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. commonly found in weedy tanks and ponds, marshes, channels, and slow flowing streams and rivers in the lowlands and mid-hills throughout the year. It breeds in streams, rivers, canals, ponds and tanks.
Males have a reddish brown face, crimson and brown eyes, red thorax with a fine, purple pruinescence, crimson abdomen with a violet tinge and swollen base, transparent wings with crimson venation, a broad amber patch at the base and dark reddish-brown wing spots, and black legs.

Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora) on a reed stalk. (by-nc-nd)

Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora) over the water. (by-nc-nd)

Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora). (by-nc-nd)

Blue Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum glaucum) is an Asian dragonfly species, common across much of tropical and subtropical Asia. It breeds in ponds, drains, ditches and other open lentic habitats.

Blue Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum glaucum) on the ground. (by-nc-nd)

The Scarlet Skimmer or Crimson Darter (Crocothemis servilia) is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia.

Scarlet Skimmer, Crimson Darter (Crocothemis servilia) dragonfly
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