Fighting over a stick

It was all happening at the dragon pit today, dueling, ducking and diving, bonking and egg laying. I really wanted an egg laying shot, but the paddy is newly dug and not planted and so the egg laying action was happening everywhere except in front of my lens. If you want to capture egg laying action, find a small patch of clear water were the rest is weeded over, then you will have a captive audience.

These two were fighting over rights to a small twig, sticking up out of the water, prime real estate for the passing females. These two males were of different species, the red being the owner of the stick. The green Sabina was aggressively determined to evict Mr Red, but failed due to a valiant defense.

As the green approached, the red leapt into the air (the moment of my shot) and they tussled for a split second and red returned to the stick. This happened many times, thus giving me the opportunity for the shot.

I have read about dragons having territory and defending it, but up until now I haven't witnessed such behavior, probably because there is usually plenty of suitable vantage points in a paddy of rice. Problem solved for tomorrow though, the farmer is just preparing to plant the paddy.

Dave