Painted Skimmer dragonfly in May

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Painted Skimmer dragonfly in May

May 11, 2015 by Mike Powell

Colorful dragonflies are gradually reappearing throughout my local marshland park and I’m reacquiring the skills needed to photograph them. For me, the amazing beauty of dragonflies is especially revealed when I manage to observe them up close. I can’t help but marvel at the incredible details of their eyes and their wings and even their delicate feet and the tiny hairs that sprout on their faces.

I spotted this dragonfly, which I believe is a Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata), last Friday at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, Virginia. The dragonfly allowed me to get quite close to be able to take this macro shot. In general, some dragonfly species tend to be less skittish than others, but it seems to vary from individual to individual.

Be sure to click on the image to get a higher resolution view of this beautiful little creature.

Posted in Dragonflies, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, spring, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, Huntley Meadows Park, Libellula semifasciata, Painted Skimmer, Painted Skimmer dragonfly, Tamron 180mm macro lens | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on May 11, 2015 at 7:53 am | Reply Lyle Krahn

If anyone will find these beauties, I’m trusting it will be you.
on May 11, 2015 at 1:12 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

Amazing shot…The detail is truly amazing. It really opens your eyes to the diversity of our world.
- on May 11, 2015 at 7:56 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Charlie. I really love my macro lenses for precisely the reasons you mention–there is so much detail that we often ignore, primarily because we are not aware that it exists.
on May 11, 2015 at 3:16 pm | Reply cihearu - Chronicles of a Bionic Woman

I love that up-close detail! Makes it so much more interesting to learn more about them
Carol
- on May 11, 2015 at 7:57 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Carol. It’s sometimes tough to get that close, but it’s what I often strive to do, whether it be with a telephoto lens or a macro.
on May 12, 2015 at 5:56 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

That’s some great detail in that shot. They never let me get close enough for a macro lens. Someday I’ve got to try just sitting in the reeds.
- on May 12, 2015 at 6:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Allen. I am both patient and persistent and sometimes manage to get pretty close with my macro lens. This early in the season, many of the dragonflies are hanging out in the fields and are not buzzing around the water. If you like detail, check out this shot from today’s post. https://michaelqpowell.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/pondhawk1_may_blog.jpg