Dragonfly and lotus bud

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Dragonfly and lotus bud

July 13, 2013 by Mike Powell

Having spotted some lotus flower buds at the aquatic garden last weekend, I remember thinking how cool it would be to see a dragonfly perching on a lotus bud and then it happened—a male Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) landed on the tip of one of the buds.

When stalking dragonflies, I always hope that they will choose a photogenic perch, but most of the time the perches are nondescript, at best, and the background is often cluttered.

I would like to claim that I have special powers as a dragonfly whisper, but I was unusually fortunate and am happy that I was able to get some good photos when the circumstances presented themselves.

Posted in Dragonflies, Flowers, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography | Tagged Blue Dasher, Blue Dasher dragonfly, Canon 55-250mm zoom lens, Canon Rebel XT, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Pachydiplax longipennis, Washington DC | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on July 13, 2013 at 5:10 pm | Reply Mjollnir

Amazingly sharp pictures Mike. Great stuff as always 😀
- on July 13, 2013 at 5:19 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. It’s prime season for dragonflies and I have been really lucky in getting quite a few good shots.
on July 13, 2013 at 5:32 pm | Reply Katherine Wikoff

Incredible, gorgeous, awesome! Both insect and bud are like jewels.
- on July 13, 2013 at 5:33 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I was really happy when the elements of the photo came together so well.
on July 14, 2013 at 3:54 am | Reply caleephotography

Great shots, Mike! I do believe you’re a dragonfly whisperer. 🙂
on July 14, 2013 at 9:03 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

These photos are excellent. They should be framed and hanging on someone’s wall.
on July 15, 2013 at 11:50 am | Reply Sue

A+for artistic! Your Blue Dasher males don’t exhibit the two-toned eye color I have seen in BDs here, but I wonder if that is just a sign of their maturity?
- on July 15, 2013 at 2:44 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sue. I will have to dig a little deeper on the question of eye color with the Blue Dasher. I don’t recall ever observing a two-toned eye color.