A flash of emerald green whizzed past my eyes as I was walking in a meadow near my hotel in Massachusetts. What could it be? I waited a few minutes and recognized the familiar flight patterns of a dragonfly.
Most of the dragonflies that I see are drab by comparison with this one that is almost tropical in the brightness of its color. I am pretty sure this is a female Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis). For more details about this dragonfly check out BugGuide.
Female Eastern Pondhawk
I stayed for a while longer in the meadow to see what else might appear and was pleased when a pretty bluish-green dragonfly flew into view. At first I thought it was a Blue Dasher but after examining him more closely I realized he was a different type. I think he is a male Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis).
Male Eastern Pondhawk
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Hi, Mike, I double-checked in my Dragonflies of the North Woods by Kurt Mead, and you’re spot on with both identifications. Good catches, especially the female!
Thanks for checking for me. I am not very good in identifying what I have shot and can use lots of help. I also have several shots of a female on a leaf in the trees that I might post (I’m still going through my photos).
Nice photos, Mike!
Thanks. I can never get too many photos of dragonflies.
Love the colors and even focus on these!, nicely done!
Thanks. I love dragonflies and love to try to photograph them. It’s a great challenge for me, but one that I enjoy.