Female Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly

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Female Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly

July 24, 2019 by Mike Powell

Last week I spotted this female Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula needhami) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The direct sunlight was a little harsh, but the high perch of the dragonfly allowed me to capture a beautiful, uncluttered background.

I love the golden edges of the wings of this species and the wonderful two-toned eyes of the females like this one. It was an additional bonus that she seemed to be smiling for her moment in the spotlight.

Posted in Dragonflies, dragonfly, Insects, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Libellula needhami, Needham's Skimmer, Needham's Skimmer dragonfly | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on July 24, 2019 at 7:11 am | Reply Ms. Liz

She’s an absolute princess!
on July 24, 2019 at 7:46 am | Reply Molly Lin DutinaMolly Dutina

Do not know how this one got away from me. Lovely!
- on July 24, 2019 at 7:07 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Molly.
on July 25, 2019 at 12:38 pm | Reply Wally Jones

Very nice photograph!
One of my favorite species. The female is beautiful and the male is so colorful.
- on July 26, 2019 at 6:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Wally. For some reason I have seen an enormous number of Needham’s Skimmers this year. At this time of the summer, the males are really bright orangish-red in color and really stand out.
on July 27, 2019 at 11:31 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Very Nice Mike! They are very colorful!