Dragonflies have been around for a long time, with fossils showing dragonfly-like creatures that date back to the Jurassic period, more than 150 million years ago. It is generally believed that dragonflies of the Petaluridae family, including the Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi) most closely resemble those ancient species.
I was thrilled to find several Gray Petaltails this past Monday at Occoquan Regional Park, about 20 miles (32 km) from where I live. Most of the time Gray Petaltails perch vertically, flat against tree trunks at eye level or higher. The first photo is a little deceptive, because it makes it look like it is easy to spot these rather large dragonflies (three inches (76 mm) in length). However, in my experience it is rare to see a Gray Petaltail on a smooth-barked tree. When they perch on trees with coarser bark, these dragonflies almost melt into the trees. You get a hint of how this camouflage works in the second image below.
The final image shows a more typical scenario. From a distance, I saw a Gray Petaltail land on a tree. When I snapped the photo, though, I could not see the dragonfly, even though I knew exactly where it was. Can you see the Gray Petaltail in the final photo? I think that my post processing may have made it a little easier to spot, but the dull color and pattern of the dragonfly help it to blend in with the light and shadows on the tree trunk.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice series of images Mike! The last one it really blends into the background!
Thanks, Reed. These dragonflies tend to be found near areas with seeps and their larvae live in the mud and vegetation of mucky, mossy, spring seeps which often contain very little standing water, rather than in the water like most other dragonfly larvae.
I can see why you would be thrilled to find the gray petaltail, Mike, as they are incredibly difficult to see. All three photos are wonderful, but that last one is, as you say, nearly impossible to spot the dragonfly. Great shadows and lines on Photo #1. Thanks for the introduction to this dragonfly.
Thanks, Jet. From my experience last year, I know where to look for gray petaltails at that park. For the most part they require a specific kind of habitat, so I try to scour that area and surrounding areas when hunting for them.
I am so glad you can find, photograph and are willing to share these, Mike. I’m pretty sure I’d walk right by.
You have be alert and move slowly, scanning in all directions as you go. Most often it is movement that gives the dragonflies away–if the stay still, I am a whole lot less likely to spot them.
Such effective camouflge! It makes on wonder if they know how they look to others and choose a landing scape accordingly. Love the unusual angle in your first shot.
I am not sure of the degree of self-awareness in gray petaltails, but I do know that they will sometimes perch on people and seem especially attracted to the color gray. Here’s a link to a posting by my dragonfly buddy Walter that shows a gray petaltail perched on me last year. https://michaelqpowell.com/2019/05/22/you-look-like-a-tree-to-me/