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Hi Mariki,

I realise that this is a very old post, I found it when searching for example photos to illustrate an ID point on this thread from another forum;
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=147953

Your photo is of Lestes sponsa, as you originally suspected. All damselflie tend to have very pale, often white, pterostigmas when they have recently emerged, and as these darken gradually they can be this pale brown colour on sponsa. As well as other small features viridis also has a prominent green 'spur like' marking on the side of the thorax.
Lestes don't always perch with their wings open - especially when recently emerged - but usually show the typical wings open pose briefly when they first land.


Roy.

PS. Hope you don't mind me linking your photo!