Successful

R and I had some shopping to do in Stratford this morning, in advance of a weekend visit from the Boy Wonder. I took the opportunity for a quick Odonata census at Lucy's Mill, and found that while the Banded Demoiselle number is now dropping fast, there were at least three male Scarce Chasers still competing for territory. I was a little disappointed not to find any Migrant Hawkers, after seeing my first one in the garden a few days ago, but there were two or three male Brown Hawkers sailing gracefully back and forth over the river, along with three noticeably less graceful Emperors. Two of the Emperors were competing furiously with the Brown Hawkers (who as usual were disinclined to fight, and used their speed to get them away from trouble), but the third has had to retreat from the fray in the middle of the river and retire to Chaser Country among the reeds and rushes, because - not to put too fine a point on it - he's had a hard season and is now pretty trashed.

Of the three Scarce Chasers I photographed (distinguishable by the different marks on their abdomens, and the varying amounts of wing damage they've suffered), this one was holding the closest territory to my vantage point, and gave the best photos. He has also had a successful breeding season - his abdomen has been so scratched by the claws of female partners that in places the blue pruinescence has completely worn away, revealing the underlying red colour - but, unlike the Emperor, he's managed to compete for, and win, those mating rights without sustaining any noticeable wing damage.

And now to the results of this week's Tiny Tuesday challenge. Once again I've had fun looking through all the images, and among the winners and runners-up there are several I wish I'd taken. In no particular order, my hearts this week have gone to:

KangaZu 

Amanda_T 

Sheol 

Inverculain 

davidc

And - again, in no particular order - I'd like to give Honourable Mentions to:

DonnaWanna 

evolybab 

fitzbilly 

Mayisle 

chrisf 

Miranda1008

That's it from me for this week. I hope you'll all play again next week, when the tag will be TT529.