On Monday I was really happy to spot this male Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula pulchella) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Most dragonflies have clear wings and it is always special to see one with boldly patterned wings, like the Twelve-spotted Skimmer. This species is not particularly rare, but this is the first one that I have photographed this season.
Those of you who are mathematically inclined may wonder why this species is called “twelve-spotted” when there are clearly more than twelve spots. For the purposes of counting, however, only the dark spots matter and there are three on each wing. The female of the species also has twelve spots, but lacks the distinctive white spots of the male.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! Soon we have to find New Photo subjects!!
For me, Reed, that’ll mean switching to a whole lot more birds in the next few months as the insects die off.
Crisp and clear, nice.
Our air was thick with another hatch of a single species yesterday and today. Apparently all that rain we fussed about was good for the dragonflies — although the ones I saw weren’t nearly so handsome as this one.
I love the spots on its wings! 😊