Common (or Red) Darter Dragonfly, (Sympetrum striolatum).

The Common Darter Dragonfly is one of the shorter species of dragonfly found in the British Isles. They can be seen between mid June and October, often basking on a warm surface, as in the picture above. The top image is the male which has a red abdomen with a narrowing in the middle like the shape of a dart, which gives this group their name - Darter. The middle image shows the female is orange / brown in colour. The wingspan is about 55mm. They breed in still ponds and sheltered lakes. 

Both images were taken with natural sunlight on a very bright day, as the dragonflies returned to their favourite perch's. 

The bottom image shows a pair in typical dragonfly mating position. The male takes hold of the female by the back of the neck, the female then turns her abdomen up until she can take the sperm from the male.

Top - Canon 30D and Vivitar 100mm macro lens.