Behind The Lens

Watching wildlife behaviour has always been a source of fascination. And using a telephoto lens is often as much about observation, identification, and research as it is about creating images. A recent day spent behind the lens provided opportunities to observe, and photograph a number of different insects.

Jumping Pond Skater

I spotted a pond skater apparently jumping across the surface, as opposed to the more usual skating motion after which it is named. Intrigued, I took a series of photographs, hoping to uncover more about the behaviour. Upon downloading the images, I saw that what I had taken to be one skater, was actually two.

So why jump? Especially with the extra weight of a passenger. A bit of research uncovered some surprising background to the mating habits of pond skaters. Female skaters do not willingly accept a partner, and are protected against non-consensual coupling by a shield. To encourage the female to accept his advances, a male creates ripples during courtship. The ripples are likely to attract the attention of underwater predators. Faced with the choice of becoming fish food, or accepting a mate, the female pond skater opts for the latter. However, owing to the ripples created by the male, the threat of predation remains. The female’s natural behaviour to avoid being caught is to jump, rather than skate. And so they move together, the female having been alarmed into accepting the liaison, now attempting to dodge any fish attracted by the motion of the male.

Dragonfly Identification

There were plenty of dragonflies busy laying eggs around the lake edge. A large lens is useful for identification of the different types. The emperor dragonfly is one of the largest species in Europe. It is known to eat prey while in flight; its diet includes butterflies and other dragonflies.

The female rested well above the water level, between bursts of egg laying. I noticed a couple of male damselflies paying her close attention when she was laying. The only reason I could think of was the instinct of male damselflies to protect females when they’re laying.

The next picture is of a brown hawker laying her rust coloured seed-like eggs. Hawkers are the largest and fastest flying dragonflies. They have a regular hunting patch which they guard aggressively.

Finally, another female. This time, the common darter.

As suggested by the name, this dragonfly is plentiful, breeding in a variety of habitats. They tend to hover before darting forward quickly when hunting.

The British Dragonfly Society, and the Wildlife Trusts, are useful resources for more information about dragonflies.

Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers tend to live in grassy areas, as opposed to crickets which have a more varied habitat. From behind the lens, identification can be tricky. But as with the dragonflies, viewing the downloaded images of stationary insects makes it much easier.

The first is a common green grasshopper. Note the short antennae (in contrast to crickets, which usually have much longer antennae). Males display to females by rubbing their hind legs against their wings to ‘sing’. The song lasts around 20 seconds or more.

And a common field grasshopper nearby (below). A widespread variety of grasshopper, found in sunny, grassy areas. The male’s song, created by rubbing his legs against his wings, is a single chirrup, which he repeats at regular intervals.

Generally speaking, daytime singing is created by grasshoppers, which are diurnal insects. At this time of year, the grass fields ring with the sound of grasshoppers in full song. Crickets, which also ‘sing’ are crepuscular, so more likely to be heard at twilight or overnight.

Finally

Also captured through a telephoto lens, a honey bee. It looks too happy not to include in this piece!