Cloud grounds the damselflies

The last day of June. Dark clouds moved in early and threatened rain.

One female Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly exploring found itself some distance from the river

in a cool, shady area and when the early sun disappeared, it found the only warm surface to

land on and regain strength.  

Although emerald in colour, it isn't an Emerald Damselfly - they have shorter,

colourless wings. The amber wings and white patches towards the outer edges of 

each wing indicate that this is a female Beautiful Demoiselle.

Damselflies rely on just the right thermal conditions in order to fly

 and will seek warmth by getting close to a warm surface or basking in the sun.

 Dragonflies can get warm enough to fly by whizzing their wings

for a few minutes but Damselflies can't do this. They need to warm up the important part

of the body, the thorax, the muscles that power the wings, by using solar power..

When the sky darkens and rain is likely, if they are flying over the river, they will

immediately find cover and drop down into the shelter of the river bank vegetation,

 close up and stay put until the sun reappears and warms up the vegetation.

Scarlet Pimpernel on a stoney path. Damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies

are attracted to the warmth retained by the stones when the sun goes in.