Common Hawker

Today I spent the afternoon surveying ponds on the moors and had hoped that I might see a few Common Hawkers (Aeshna juncea) even though there wasn't a lot of sun about. In the event I very nearly trod on this male before I spotted it. It was well settled and not warm enough to fly off immediately and this gave me the opportunity to take a few shots. The blurred forewings are due to the insect indulging in some vigorous wing whirring to generate enough heat in its muscles to allow it to escape. A few seconds after I took this shot it was off in search of a less disturbed place to roost until the sun returns.