Mary Twomey
I have been a member of Malahide Camera Club since 2008. I have a great interest in nature & biodiversity. I feel very privileged to be able to witness, document and photograph all aspects of wildlife in the greater Dublin area and further afield.
Banded Demoiselle Damselfly
Common Tern feeding juvenile
Banded Demoiselle Damselfly
The Banded Demoiselle is a large, striking damselfly species found in Ireland, including areas within and around Dublin. They are known for their metallic blue bodies and, in males, a distinct dark patch across their wings. They prefer slow-flowing water, such as canals, rivers, and stream banks. Males are highly territorial and can be seen fighting for perches on vegetation to attract females.
The above male banded demoiselle image was taken by the banks of the Liffey in Palmerstown Park, Dublin 20. I used a 300 prime lens to capture this damselfly rather than a macro lens as the bank is quite steep and access to them is quite difficult.
Common Tern feeding juvenile
Common terns are migratory summer visitors to Ireland that breed in coastal and inland colonies. They arrive from Africa in April and return to winter there in late summer. While they have benefited from artificial nesting sites (like those maintained by the Dublin Bay Birds Project, they are threatened by rising sea levels and loss of natural habitats. They feed on fish, usually caught by diving into the sea or large lakes. Photographing terns can certainly be a challenge. Fast shutter speeds are required to capture their erratic, fast flight and hovering behaviors.
The above common tern & juvenile image was taken just off Skerries. I spent the whole day sitting by the shore observing them coming & going feeding their young.