Dragonfly Nymphs

A quiet hour by the pond looking for newtpoles was unrewarding, the three months of 'newt nuptials' have produced nothing visually, I assume the offspring are extremely adept at hiding.  In another way it was a valuable look at the progress the Broad Bodied Chaser nymphs are making. I was under the impression that all the nymphs in the pond came from a single laying but given the variation in maturity that is obviously erroneous. The other puzzle is that on several occasions Southern Hawkers were depositing eggs in the pond and immediately close by on marginal plants, of these there is no sign whatsoever. However, the specimen pictured below is so different from the BBC nymphs that I am hopeful that it is an Aeshna species. Unfortunately my Field Guide to Dragonflies is sadly lacking in the nymph department.

Looking like some 'alien beast' from a 1950's sci fi movie, a nymph approaching the point where it will climb up a reed stem and become an adult dragonfly.

One day it may look like this

 

How the majority look