Some dragonfly species are special to me because of their beauty; some—because of their rarity; and some—because of the specific circumstance under which I found them. Swift Setwings are in the latter category.
Four years ago I photographed a strange-looking dragonfly at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge and could not identify it. I was a little shocked when experts told me it was a male Swift Setwing dragonfly (Dythemis velox), a primarily southern species that had never before been spotted as far north in Virginia as Fairfax County where I live.
Every year since that first encounter, I make a pilgrimage to the spot of my first sighting to check on “my” dragonflies, which now seem to have a well-established breeding population. Alerted by a Facebook posting by a fellow photographer, I visited the refuge this past Tuesday and was thrilled to spot several male Swift Setwing dragonflies.
As you can see from the two photos below, Swift Setwings have a distinctive posture—they typically perch on the tip of branches with their wings angled down and forward and their abdomen slightly raised. Apparently the stance reminded some scientist of a sprinter at a track meet on the blocks in the “ready, set, go” position” and that is supposed to be the source of the somewhat unusual name for the species.
Usually the vegetation on which a Swift Setwing is perched hangs over the water and the dragonfly faces the water. As a result, I too often have to hang over the water to get a decent angle for a shot. So far, I have managed to keep from falling into the pond, though I must admit that I have come close to doing so a few times.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Gorgeous colour. We don’t have anything resembling this species, another of your ‘American beauties’. Mind where you step, cameras and water don’t mix!
Thanks. It is always fascinating to learn what kinds of species are present or absent in other locations. As for water, it is not uncommon for me to get my feet wet when I am in a marshy area or when I wade into a shallow stream. When it comes to bigger (and deeper) bodies of water, I try to exercise a much higher level of caution, though sometimes I may be tempting fate by living life on the edge.
Those are great photos, Mike, but be careful.
It must feel good to have spotted something rare and then be able to find it again. He is a beauty.
Thanks, Dan. Some scientists have documented the gradual spread northward of some southern species of dragonflies, perhaps as a result of global warming. I am not sure if this species will be considered rare in my area in the future, but it was nice to be able to spot the advance guard for what may be a bigger population. I have talked to birders and dragonfly guys and they tell me that it is not uncommon to have find a single individual out of its normal range. What is more significant, as is the case with the Swift Setwing, is when a species settles into a new area and establishes a breeding population so that it reappears each year in that location year after year.
That’s pretty cool. Usually, when you read about migration like this, it’s something that has had very bad results.
Do you things live invasive species that reduce or eliminate local ones?
I was waiting in our town hall, and they had a poster of invasive plants, fish, reptiles and insects. Of course, this is New England. I’m from Pittsburgh, so they probably consider me an invasive species 😏
As someone who was born in Boston and grew up in one of its suburbs, I can say with full confidence that you would be viewed at a minimum as an outsider. 🙂
I know. And 39 years in CT doesn’t change that. Especially not in Boston 🙂
These are stunning portraits, Mike. I love that you have captured that interesting behaviour regarding the wing position but I can also appreciate all of the beautiful detail in the wings and on the body. I like the sense of movement in the first photograph and the way that background movement contrasts with the (appearance of) serene stillness of the dragonfly but I think I prefer the second photo because I like that it is almost monochromatic in shades of purple-grey.
Thanks for your insights, Laura. I keep vacillating between the two images as I try to decide which one I like more. I’m actually quite thrilled that I was able to capture two interesting and contrasting blurry backgrounds. It is nice to have the option of posting both images. 🙂
Adore the first photo!
Thanks, Liz. One of the benefits of the way these little dragonflies pose is that I can get nice blurry backgrounds, as long as I can stay out of the water. I probably need someone with me to hang onto me as I lean over the edge of the bank. 🙂
LOL! And a third person to video all the drama!
Oh, no. The last thing that I need is evidence! I remember the most recent time that I slid down a muddy incline into the shallow water–my first reaction was to look around and see if anyone had observed my actions.
Hahaha! I guess over there it’d be much more likely someone would see you! Here most places it’d be pretty unlikely and bad luck indeed if one was to actually be caught on camera 🙂
So unusual to see the wings at that angle and their eyes look like rubies. 🙂 Great pix!
I haven’t seen one of those yet.
This dragonfly species issupposed to be common in some southern states, but so far Swift Setwings are relatively rare in Northern Virginia.
Thanks
And yet another one new to my experience. I can well imagine a trusted photo-roadie holding on to your belt as you lean way over to make the shot that your visualize, as a few friends have helped me on occasion. BTW, you might be interested to know that the standard pre-competition phrase here is “ready-steady-go!”
I think that the “steady” version works best. That’s in my pre-shot mental checklist. As I prepare to take a shot I try to steady myself physically and internally.
Nice Mike! Never saw one of these before!
Thanks, Reed. I think they are located exclusively in the south, which may explain why you have not seen one. 🙂