Names can sometimes be misleading. There is a genus of damselflies, consisting of 35 species, called American bluets. As the common name “bluet” suggests, most members of the genus are primarily blue in color. One notable exception is the adult male Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum) that often does not appear to have even a speck of blue on its body.
I spotted this little guy last Friday at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge and was a bit shocked by his bright red eyes when I looked through the viewfinder of the camera. The male Orange Bluet was perched at the extreme end of some vegetation overhanging a pond.
I would have liked to have gotten a shot in which more of its body was in focus, but I did not want to risk falling in the water, which looked to be pretty deep at that spot. As I look at the photo now, I realize that the soft focus of the body may actually be a good thing, because it draws a viewer’s attention even more to the eyes of the handsome little damselfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wow! Love this dramatic composition and the way the amber colour really pops.
Thanks, Laura. It is a bit “in your face,” but there is no need to be subtle all of the time. 🙂
Beautiful little creature – great photo.
When I first saw the title, my mind went to “Orange Blossom Special” – maybe I need to get some fresh air.
🙂
This is such a super cool photo, Mike.
Thanks, Jet. Damselflies are such tiny creatures that I suspect that most people have never looked on in the eye like this photo causes them to do.
Gorgeous colour!
Unreal’ great capture
Very Nice Mike! Great detail on the face!
wonderful colour Mike
Oh, those eyes! We have several varieties of bluets at our lake in MN, but I’ve not yet heard of an orange one. I’m pleased to make its acquaintance, thanks to you!
I am always intrigued by the geographic differences in the distribution of species of birds and insects. Here on the East Coast there are dragonfly species, for example, in New England that are not present further south and vice-versa. Northern Virginia is more or less in the middle, so sometimes we have the benefit of seeing some of the more northern species and some of the southern ones too.
An amazing shot! If you didn’t let us know, I would have thought you did the focus that way on purpose through editing. 🙂
Thanks, Laura. When I can, I mostly try to get as much of my subject in focus as I can, which comes in handy if I need help in identification. With dragonflies and damselflies, the best way to get a shot in which the whole body is in focus is to shoot from the side, but I like the head-on perspective, which almost guarantees that most of the rest of the body will be out of focus.
Beautiful shot.
Thanks, Michael.
Welcome 🙏