Early yesterday morning I thought that this female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was gathering nesting materials, which seemed a little strange this late in the season. When I looked at the images on my computer, however, I was surprised to see that she had instead captured an immature male Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis), a species that itself has a reputation as a ruthless predator.
As the old adage suggests, sometimes the predator becomes the prey.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
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That almost seems sad, the beautiful dragonflies, I guess that is nature.
Thanks, Leanne. I have the same kind of mixed feelings when I see dragonflies and butterflies become a meal for other creatures. Dragonflies are such acrobatic skills and amazing vision that I am amazed when they are caught.
Great catch.
For both me and the blackbird. 🙂
Beautiful capture:)
(http://redrocksindia.com/blog/)
Thanks.
I don’t know if they’re nesting but they sure are still defending their territory, and they let me know it the other day. The males will hover just above you, screeching the whole time.
You got a much better shot of the female than I did!
Tis Sad, but it happens. You love your dragonflies (and the birds) and I love the birds. (and the dragonflies) You really don’t know who to root for. 😦
Excellent photo, Mike! One of your “All-time Top 10 Best Photos.”
Thanks, Walter.
Your photo is a lot better than mine! Lovely shot!!
Thanks. I honestly didn’t know the bird had a dragonfly until I checked out the photos on my computer.
How fitting an end! You captured both these predators with beautiful detail!
Amazing photos!
Yes, the circle of life. The main players for us in northern Minnesota are a pair of phoebes, which arrive just in time for the first dragonfly hatch, which is timed to coincide with the first major appearance of the mosquitoes…and so it goes.
Great pictures – look like paintings out of an Audubon book
Thanks. The day was so heavily overcast that the sky was totally blown out when I processed the images, which I think adds to their illustration-like quality.