Blue Dasher in obelisk pose

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Blue Dasher in obelisk pose

June 23, 2015 by Mike Powell

When it is really hot and the sun is directly overhead, Blue Dasher dragonflies (Pachydiplax longipennis) will often perch in a handstand-like pose that is generally referred to as the “obelisk posture.” By doing this, they minimize the direct exposure of the abdomen’s surface to the sun and stay cooler. Some other dragonflies will also engage in this kind of postural thermoregulation, but I see it most commonly in Blue Dashers.

Blue Dashers, one of our most common dragonflies, were largely responsible for my initial fascination with dragonflies. In fact, almost three years ago my very first posting on this blog featured a Blue Dasher in an obelisk posture.

Since that time, I have grown in experience and knowledge and have cranked out over 1600 posts. My fascination with dragonflies has broadened and grown into a quasi-obsession, but I am always drawn back to the little Blue Dasher dragonfly, whose acrobatic poses never cease to amaze and entertain me.

Posted in Art, Dragonflies, Insects, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Blue Dasher, Blue Dasher dragonfly, Canon 50D, Huntley Meadows Park, obelisk pose, Pachydiplax longipennis, postural thermoregulation, Tamron 150-600mm telephoto | 11 Comments

11 Responses

on June 23, 2015 at 6:56 am | Reply Birder's Journey

Fascinating info – thanks for enriching my understanding. I will notice this as I watch our many dragonflies now in the hot summer.
- on June 23, 2015 at 7:36 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Not all dragonflies do this, but Blue Dashers certainly do (and I recently posted a photo of a Halloween Pennant in a similar pose).
on June 23, 2015 at 8:10 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

I enjoy your blog for the photos and for all the information you provide. Thank you.
- on June 24, 2015 at 5:12 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura. I like to photograph things that I find to be fascinating and/or beautiful and it’s amazing how much I am learning along the way. It’s fun to share the photos and info with others.
on June 23, 2015 at 8:46 am | Reply Steve Schwartzman

I can think of many worse obsessions to have, Mike. This is a photo-worthy one.
- on June 24, 2015 at 5:09 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Steve.
on June 23, 2015 at 8:48 am | Reply Lily Lau

Hats off for this post, Mike… you’ve left me speechless!
- on June 24, 2015 at 5:07 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. “Speechless” is an unexpected, but not unwelcome reaction. 🙂
on June 23, 2015 at 12:48 pm | Reply waltersanford

Seems like you’ve come full circle, Mike. And so it begins again.
on June 24, 2015 at 5:26 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I like this one for its color as well as its handstands. Beautiful background in this one!
- on June 24, 2015 at 6:47 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Allen. I love these little guys too and enjoy watching their acrobatics. I am not sure if it is because I am using such a long telephoto lens, but my backgrounds recently have been a amazingly smooth.