Autumn seems to be the season for migration—it’s hard to miss the flocks of honking geese that fill the skies and mysterious warblers taunt me with their songs from hidden haunts behind the foliage as they rest before continuing their journeys. Did you know that some species of dragonflies are also migratory?
Most of the migratory species unsurprisingly spend a lot of time in the air. They are visible as they pass through our area, but are tough to photograph. This past weekend I manage to get shots of two of the migratory species at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The first one is a Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) and the second is a Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata). What really stands out to me is the perfect condition of their wings, in contrast to the wings of the remaining resident dragonflies that are often tattered and torn this late in the season.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I had no idea they migrated. That’s really interesting. And by the way, my admiration for your photos has grown. I was running after a beautiful blue dragonfly some days ago, and I swear to you that insect was teasing me. Some will light, but some don’t, and a person could wear themselvse out chasing after them.
I love the second shot. The colours of the dragonfly and foliage work together so well! Do you think the wings are in much better condition because they perhaps emerged very late in the season compared to others?
It’s possible that they emerged later and that accounts for the almost pristine wing condition. It might also be caused by feeding habits and the degree to which the dragonfly flies through vegetation. Truthfully, I don’t know and am merely speculating.
Thank you!
Very interesting! One thing about wandering gliders is that they have several generations a year.
Cool. Wandering Gilders are cool and unusual to me, because I rarely see them. Even when I do, I know that they are generally just passing through. I am thoroughly intrigued by the way they can travel such long distances–it seems almost like a miracle to me.