Dragonflies are super-predators, according to a posting today by one of my favorite bloggers, Sue of Back Yard Biology, thanks to their agile flying ability and incredible eyesight, but predators can also become prey. You should check out that posting for a wonderful explanation of dragonflies’ visual acuity and some beautiful dragonfly images.
The Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) in this photo has captured a male Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) that appears to be struggling to extricate itself from the grip of the bird. In the second shot, the swallow is offering its prize to its mate, which pokes its head of the nesting box and takes a bite of one of the wings. (If you look carefully at the first shot, you’ll see that it was taken after the second shot and part of one of the dragonfly’s wing seems to have been bitten off.)
Predator or prey? There always seem to be some creature above you on the food chain. It’s no wonder that so many of the birds, animals, and insects are so hyper-vigilant and skittish when we try to take photographs of them—their survival may depend on it.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
This year, we had a little family of Flycatchers nesting up on the porch eaves. It is the first time I have seen anything catch and eat dragonflies on a regular basis. Cool to know that swallows do the same.
I wasn’t sure anything could catch dragonflies easily. Now I know there are at least two kinds of birds that do (although I can’t say whether or not it is easy for the swallows).
Wow, what a great set of shots, Mike. Perhaps the dragonfly was distracted by its own prey, and failed to notice what was coming at it. And thanks for the blog reference!!
Thanks, Sue. I think both swallows and dragonflies both catch their prey in mid-air and I tend to think that you are right about distraction being the likely cause of the dragonfly’s demise. Of course, it would be cooler if it had been some kind of Snoopy/Red Baron-style aerial battle. Your blog posting was fresh in my mind when I was reviewing the shots I took yesterday, so the connection seemed a natural one to me. That 100-400mm is getting a lot of great use. I happened to have the 100mm macro lens on the camera for the swallow/dragonfly shots, so I had to crop a fair amount, even though I was relatively close.
Those are great action shots and a good reminder that for us its entertainment but them its survival.
Super post, great shots, wonderful story!
Sweet shots, I have something similar but with Bluebirds feeding their young a big juicy bug..:-))
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Your photos are great as always, but I really appreciate the perspective you provided here.
Thanks, Sid. My blog serves as a creative outlet for my photos and also for my thoughts. I find it valuable sometimes to step back and see a bigger picture and not remain focused simply on the shot.