All of the photos that I have posted this year of the Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis) have been of females, which are a beautiful emerald green, but I think that you will agree that the male in this photo is equally stunning. I love the mixture of blue and green on its body and was particularly happy to capture this one perched on a colorful flower.
This is a shot from couple of weeks ago, when I was able to borrow my friend’s Nikon D7000 and Tamron 180mm macro lens for a little while while we were shooting at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in the District of Columbia. Every time that I look over the images that I shot, I am impressed by the results that I was able to achieve with a “foreign” camera—normally I shoot with a Canon.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
That’s a fine shot of a beautiful insect.
Thanks. I continue to be amazed at the beauty of insects when I get in close (and at the beauty of plants and other growing things when you get in close).
I like that each of the wings is at a different angle, adding a little something extra for the eye to pick up on.
Great shot, Mike! I would love a lens like that 🙂
Me too (I had to give it back after a little while).
It sounds like you are being tempted to upgrade!
Oh, I definitely am tempted and am running out of excuses not to upgrade.
Go for it
Boy, there is nothing like a new lens, camera, etc. to get you re-energized about shooting nature photos. Not that you seem to need re-energizing, mind you. Sometimes you just have to move on, having done everything possible with the existing equipment. Beautiful colors in this photo!
Thanks, Sue. In this case, I was borrowing the equipment, but I think I am really close to upgrading. I decided to wait and see if photography was something that I was going to stick with before I bought newer stuff. After a year of pretty solid shooting, I think the answer is that photograph fits me well and I am likely to continue.
I’d hate to see you give it up!