Although I love seeing my old familiar dragonfly friends, it is always exciting to observe new species. Last week while I was exploring in Prince William County, Virginia with fellow dragonfly enthusiast Walter Sanford, I spotted this dragonfly perched on a small tree. I really liked the pose and moved closer for some shots.
I initially thought it was a Needham’s Skimmer, a fairly common species in our area, but the more I looked at my photos afterwards on my computer screen, the more I began to note some differences in the colors and patterns on wings and the body. After consultations with some dragonfly experts on Facebook, I learned that it is a Yellow-sided Skimmer (Libellula flavida).
As far as I know, this is the first time that I have seen a Yellow-sided Skimmer. There is a possibility that I have unwittingly seen one in the past and dismissed it as “only” a common species. I try not to do that, because this is not the first time that I have photographed something new without realizing until later that it was in fact new.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
That’s a beauty Mike!
I see why you liked that pose. Very nice!
But, now you have me thinking about searching through a whole bunch of past images I labeled as Needham’s Skimmer!
Oh, wait. Just checked range maps and they don’t appear to be in our area.
Now I don’t know whether to be sad I can’t see one here or thankful I don’t have to research all those photos!
Skimmers are some of my favorite odes and this Yellow-sided is lovely. Nice shot, Mike.
We don’t get them here in WMass. Here are two that we do.
Those are wonderful shots of two species that are familiar to me. I aspire to get rain or dew-covered shots like those. I am actually going to a family event in Woburn, Mass this weekend and may try to search for some odes while I am there.
I hope you are successful, Mike.Get ’em while everyone is still asleep. 🙂
Nice Mike! I know sometimes the IDs are confusing and tough to be really sure! But still fun to photograph them!
My motto is the one of the Wild West–shoot first and ask questions later. I have found that the best way to get help is not to ask for help directly, but to misidentify a subject. One of the experts will immediately feel compelled to correct you and show off his/her superior knowledge. 🙂
Nice one🙂