Twin week at the Bargerveen reserve

In recent years, it is becoming a little tradition that I, along with my family spent a week’s holiday in the province of Drenthe. More specifically identified concerns mainly the area south of Emmen and in the vicinity of the bog reserve Bargerveen. Despite the natural existence in its present form, it owes it’s aura of virginity to large-scale human interventions in the landscape. Where in the Netherlands for example, we still find alive bog at such a large scale? It always gives me a sense of primeval nature, while in my mind I do know the origin of this is the result of human activity. The lakes and pieces of dead Birch Trees reinforce that feeling . What makes the area so interesting are the huge numbers of dragonflies that occur here. On good days the bushes hang sometimes literally packed with hatching Northen White-faced Darter and Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies. Because of all these dragonflies, this is the area where the only real population of the Red-backed Shrike is breeding in the Netherlands. And at migration time one has a reasonable chance to meet the beautiful Red-footed Falcon, attracted by the abundant food in the form of the same dragonflies. And all of that despite the fact that some of these dragonflies are not very common in Holland, but in this context it doesn’t make any sense.
Also, sometimes the small size of agricultural areas and just a bit friendlier way of how people interact with each other, making it a pleasant stay in this corner of Drenthe. It makes it easier to socialize with each other. And if you don’t feel the need, silence is not far away.
The weather conditions were not optimal in this week, but low temperatures and precipitation can provide different opportunities for photography. One morning I’m really rained wet down to my underpants, but well ……. one does not always find a pair of fresh Four-spotted Chaser in the same clump of grass. Unfortunately, my plans for landscape photography I had to put aside because of the weather and corresponding light. It was still mostly gray weather, which is often not ideal for landscape shots.
And then the title , ” Twin week at the Bargerveen”. In an area where so many dragonflies emerge, chances are pretty high that when searching well one will find ” couples ” of dragonflies togheter. I hope the images speak for themselves. Furthermore, the Viper was very welcome and we hope there are more to come. Against this, the caterpillars of the Six-spotted Burnet, found by my wife, were also very welcome. Although, the last still remains a pleasant ” DEVIATION ”.

Tormentil