Last Friday I spotted this handsome adult male Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) while exploring Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge with my friend and fellow dragonfly enthusiast Walter Sanford.Β Earlier this month I did a posting entitled Mosaic Wings that featured a photo of an immature male of this same species that had a bright yellow body. This image gives you an idea of how the body color changes to red as the male Calico Pennant dragonfly matures.
Β© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
What a handsome fellow!
What a bright beauty!
Beautiful capture, Mike.
I think you said this once before but he looks like a pole vaulter.
He sure does. All of the “pennant” dragonflies love to perch at the very tip of flimsy vegetation that often bends in the wind, which makes them look even more like pole vaulters.
That dragonfly just glows.. spectacular!
Thanks, Liz. These little guys are one of my favorite dragonflies because of the patterns on their wings and their beautiful coloration.
Nice shot!
I just enlarged this to full screen…impressive photograph πππ
Thanks, Ted. Given that I am shooting mostly with a macro lens, I am able to capture a lot of detail, assuming that the dragonfly is tolerant enough to let me get close.
They must appear to be giants in the view finder too LOL
I guess it is a matter of perspective. I have photographed dragonflies a LOT closer. Check out this posting, for example, https://michaelqpowell.com/2014/10/18/blue-eyed-blue-faced-beauty/ . π
Whoa, just looked. Give me Alligators any day.
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Great capture, Mike, and a pleasing composition with the placement of insect and his perch!
Thanks, Ellen.
Yellow to red. Strange progression!