What’s a Widow Skimmer? The name may bring to mind a gigolo chasing after rich old ladies, but it is actually a strikingly beautiful dragonfly. I spotted this handsome male Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) on Monday at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge in at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
When I took this shot, I was facing toward the sun. As a result, the body of the dragonfly is almost a silhouette. What was more important to me was the detail of the wings and I am happy I was able to capture some of the detail that was revealed as the light streamed through the almost transparent wings.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
It is a beautiful Dragonfly, I never seem to see them, and then when I do they move so fast I can’t keep up.
My only “secret” is patience and persistence. The dragonflies seem to be most active during the heat of the day–it would be a little more comfortable if I could chase them in the cool morning air.