Exuvia

That's a strange title isn't it? Allow me to explain..................

Unlike other winged insects, such as butterflies, dragonflies do not have a pupal stage, but progress to adults through a final larval moult that takes place out of water, and is triggered by day length and temperature.
Final-stage larvae sit in shallow water near the margins for several days, getting ready for their final moult and starting to breathe air. Most species leave the water during the morning, but hawkers do so under cover of darkness. Larvae climb up robust emergent vegetation, although some may walk several metres over dry land before finding somewhere suitable. After finding a secure support, they redistribute their body fluids - first to push the thorax, head, legs and wings out of the larval skin. There is then a pause of about 30 minutes to allow their legs to harden enough for the next stage, when the abdomen is withdrawn. The wings and then the abdomen are expanded and start to harden. This process leaves behind a cast skin, called an exuvia, and lasts for between one hour (in the case of damselflies) and three hours (in the case of dragonflies). (source British Dragonfly Society)

This is an exuvia of a banded damselfly (see yesterdays blip) - I found the hollow exoskeleton still gripping the reed frond. The reeds are also flowering, so you are getting that too!

The weather seems to be beginning to break - storm clouds are looming!
Now, for something completely different, lets get set for some lightning photography !