Ross Hoddinott / Common darter dragonfly {Sympetrum striolatum} recently emerged from nymphal case, Cornwall, UK. June. Winner, British Seasons category, British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) competition 2011

Kim Taylor / Close up of eyes of Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) newly emerged adult, Surrey, UK

Jose B. Ruiz / Ruddy darter dragonfly {Sympetrum sanguineum} Pl de Xirau, Alicante, Spain

Kim Taylor / Common Darter Dragonfly {Sympetrum striolatum} female, close-up of compound eyes, Surrey, England.

Kim Taylor / Common Darter Dragonfly {Sympetrum striolatum} male, captive.

Ross Hoddinott / Common darter dragonfly {Sympetrum striolatum} Cornwall, UK

Rolf Nussbaumer / Black sympetrum dragonfly emerging from larval case {Sympetrum danae} Switzerland

Bernard Castelein / Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) female covered in dew droplets on Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) flowerhead. Klein Schietveld, Brasschaat, Belgium. June.

Bernard Castelein / Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) female covered in dew droplets, resting on Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) flowerhead. Klein Schietveld, Brasschaat, Belgium. June.

Bernard Castelein / Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) female on Thistle (Cirsium sp) leaf, dew droplets on wings. Klein Schietveld, Brasschaat, Belgium. June.

Bernard Castelein / Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) male resting on stem, dew droplets on wings. Klein Schietveld, Brasschaat, Belgium. June.

Bernard Castelein / Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) male resting. Brasschaat, Belgium. August.