Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly Orthetrum cancellatum

Black-tailed Skimmer male
Black-tailed Skimmer male
The Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly occurs over much of Eurasia, except the far north. Above is the male showing the blue abdomen with black final segments that gives it its name.
Black-tailed Skimmer male
Black-tailed Skimmer teneral male
Left above shows a recent adult male, its upper body still a bit yellowish. Right above shows a teneral (juvenile) male beginning to acquire its adult powder-blue colour.
Black-tailed Skimmer female side
Black-tailed Skimmer female
Black-tailed Skimmer female underside
Female Black-tailed Skimmers are similar to the teneral males, but completely yellow ochre in colour and with bold lines down the abdomen.
Black-tailed Skimmer female side
Black-tailed Skimmer female
Black-tailed Skimmer female
These immediately above, photographed in Kazakhstan, look paler than those seen in the UK, but are thought to be Black-tailed Skimmers.
Black-tailed Skimmer teneral male Teneral male on the turn
Black-tailed Skimmer male Adult male
Black-tailed Skimmer male They like bare earth and gravel