On The Lookout.

During a recent stay on the Greek Island of  Lefkada I encountered several dragonflies.Some however were moving on and any photographic record was not possible.Still,a particular male Violet Dropwing visited our holiday swimming pool and energetically flew around for some time.Once provided with a poolside perch he happily remained  for several days.

Find any sort of standing water and there is a good chance of seeing a dragonfly.This was so just along the road at what was no more than a field ditch,where a handsome male Scarlet Darter had taken up station.There are no shortage of olive groves here too and choose one with abundant wildflowers will always provide a few hawking dragonflies.The grove I investigated had a good number of Keeled Skimmers of the subspecies anceps.

Back to Lefkada.

This is the ideal time of the year to visit a favourite Greek Island of mine.In and around the coastal town of Nidri on Lefkada there are a host of dragonflies and damselflies to see.The small streams that gently flow into the sea here are clogged with reeds in places and are a perfect habitat for the Scarce Chaser.The adult males can be found in good numbers, along with other species that like these conditions such as White-legged Damselflies and Keeled Skimmers.But perhaps the most exotic dragonfly to grace these streams is the Violet Dropwing and in particular the colourful male.

A Trip to Rhodes.

The Greek Island of Rhodes,situated close to the Turkish mainland  is a very popular holiday destination for the British and is a unique area for dragonflies not seen in the rest of Europe.

A family vacation this last week to enjoy the town of Lindos in the south of the Island and hopefully encounter some of the Rhodes wildlife in and around our holiday complex.The countryside nearby is hilly with bare rock slopes and a scattering of scrub and herb plants baked dry by the hot summer sun.

However there is no shortage of water as the torrential winter rains fill the several large reservoirs across the Island.Thanks to regular irrigation of the hotel gardens there is usually running water around at some time which becomes a magnet for any passing dragonflies,as well as the two swimming pools which also attract the insects

My first encounter was a female Red-veined Darter right outside the ground floor balcony and more of these darters were seen along the dry track passing by the complex.

A great find was a mature male Small Skimmer which took up position on one of the hotel paths where water from a garden  trickled across.

Perhaps the best sighting was at the edge of the swimming pool where I closely observed a beautiful male Violet Dropwing. Sadly as I was in the pool at the time and not in the habit of taking the camera in with me I missed the opportunity to takes its picture.Not the first time that I have seen this species at the side of a swimming pool as last year in Lefkada I was lucky enough to get a shot of this handsome dragonfly.

The swimming pool was also patrolled by more than one large dragonfly at regular times of the day.

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What laughingly could be called a pond for terrapins was the brief domain of a male Epaulet Skimmer.

A regular visitor outside our balcony was this immature male Blue-tailed Oertzeni's Rock Lizard.Another colourful animal on this Island.

Also a delicate Praying Mantis on the lookout for another meal.

Dropping in to use the Facilities

The hotel we stayed at on the Greek Island of Lefkada recently has a very inviting swimming pool.On several occasions while we enjoyed it some dragonflies also decided to drop by.

Perhaps the most exotic was a mature male Violet Dropwing.This widespread African species has colonised parts of  Europe around the Mediterranean coast over the last forty or so years.This male would have been a yellowish colour on emergence,turning orange and red before attaining their final violet colour.

This female Keeled Skimmer dragonfly also made use of a poolside lounger.