Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)

I always find it fascinating to watch insects or otherwise take care of basic grooming needs, wondering what they're thinking about, and hoping they're enjoying these moments of respite.

Having said that, I remember this as a very windy day, so there's considerable effort going on just to stay attached while he grooms.

comments (2)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

From our point of view, the grooming sometimes seems needless, as the insect looks superficially clean already. But it's the wrong perspective, so I learned in my extreme macro tryouts. Higher magnifications reveal how a "clean" insect in reality is incredibly dirty. Full of dust speckles, dust threads, grease, etc. Posted 4 years ago
1. Philip Booker
  
  Lion
  
  Absolutely
  
  I've seen Bees etc, too weighed down with pollen etc to take off! Posted 4 years ago