A WILDLIFE photographer from near Ludlow has captured an amazing picture of a dragonfly resting on a reed, silhouetted by a sunset.

Andrew Fusek-Peters, from Lydbury North, said the black darter dragonfly "sparkled like jewellery" in the night, as he spent more than six hours lying in Long Mynd nature reserve bog pools to capture the perfect shot.

Ludlow Advertiser: A beautiful sunset at Long MyndA beautiful sunset at Long Mynd (Image: Andrew Fusek-Peters)

Mr Fusek-Peters, 58, spotted the black darter on August 29 after several failed searches. He said: "They're Britain's smallest dragonfly. They glitter in the low sunset light. It's like looking for jewellery.

Ludlow Advertiser: The black darter is the smallest dragonfly in the UKThe black darter is the smallest dragonfly in the UK (Image: Andrew Fusek-Peters)

"They're also in decline as their main habitat is bogs and a lot have dried out due to global warming.

"Four years ago there were hundreds. I didn't know which one to photograph because there were that many. I know that area really well. I love being up there by myself.

Ludlow Advertiser: The moon at Long MyndThe moon at Long Mynd (Image: Andrew Fusek-Peters)

"The first time I went there were beer bottles floating in the bog water. It's a shame that people come here to do that.

"It's blowing around like the blazers too. To get in focus, it's hard. They were shot at f/22, and for anyone who knows cameras that is something you don't do."