Great Blue Skimmer dragonflies (Libellula vibrans) are really common, but I enjoy photographing them anyways, like this grizzled male that I spotted earlier this week at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge. The curling vines of the plant on which this dragonfly chose to perch add some additional visual interest to these photos.
I must confess that ordinary blue dragonflies have a special place in my heart, because my very first blog posting on July 7, 2012 featured a photo of a Blue Dasher, another common species. My photography skills and my knowledge about dragonflies have increased significantly since that time, though I am still quite proud of that initial photo that started me on this long journey into photography.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Benjamin was somewhat aghast upon his close examination of the first enlarged photo of this senior citizen Blue Dasher : “Poor old dragonfly, his wings are really getting torn up!” He is relieved to know that the dragonfly can still fly with damaged wings. We then visited your very first blog post. When I told Benjamin that it was posted 7 years ago, he said : “Whoa, that’s older than me!” Thank-you, Mr. Mike!! P.S. Benjamin was so excited to see you on “My Jodi’s ‘log” this morning.
We are reaching the time of the season when a lot of the dragonflies and butterflies have wing damage. It is amazing how well they manage to get around even where there is a lot of damage–they are survivors.
Really like that first blog post.
The first post was simple and straightforward and had an awesome image–a great way to start my blogging adventure.