Female Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonflies (Sympetrum ambiguum) come in several different color variations. Some, like the one in the first image below have a reddish colored body, like the male of the species—they are known as andromorphs. Others are brownish in color, like the one in the second image below, and are know as heteromorphs. Irrespective of the body color, though, all of the females have striking blue eyes.
Usually it is harder to spot females than the more brightly colored males, but for some reason, these two females were the only Blue-faced Meadowhawks that I saw as I was exploring Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge one day last week.
Where were all the males? Maybe they were watching a sporting event or were congregating at a local bar (or both). 🙂
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I like that bottom photo very much, Mike. That guy looks driven.
Thanks, Dan. Given the title of the post, I assume that you mean “guy” in a gender-neutral way. 🙂
As soon as I pushed the button, Mike, I realized what I had done.
Nice Mike! Always fun to photograph dragonflies!
There are still a few dragonflies around, and I am working hard to photograph the remaining ones until they disappear for the season.