Are you attracted to dark-eyed beauties? If so, you would have loved this Slaty Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula incesta) that flew directly toward me and hovered in mid-air while appearing to check me out this past weekend at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetlands Refuge.
On his Dragonflies of Northern Virginia website, dragonfly expert Kevin Munroe offered two explanations for this kind of behavior by Slaty Skimmer dragonflies. It is possible that these dragonflies are exceptionally curious, if not actually friendly. However, he suggested, it is more likely that this dragonfly was exhibiting territorial aggression toward a perceived intruder.
After a few seconds of staring at me, the dragonfly turned and flew away, ready to fight off other intruders and search for a potential mate.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The second photo really is fun. He looks remarkably like a helicopter. That rich blue is lovely, too.
These photos are magnificent and very impressive.
Thanks, Laura. One of the true advantages of shooting as often as I do is that I have learned a lot about the capabilities and limitations of my gear. I suspect that you feel the same way sometimes about the art that you create and the way that your exercises and projects help you to increase your skills.
You’re getting good at capturing them in flight. The practice might come in handy during birding season.
The nice thing about dragonflies is that they will sometimes fly by repeatedly, something that birds don’t usually do. With birds, I usually get only a single chance.