As I was walking past one of the fields Huntley Meadows Park on Monday, I spotted a large dragonfly patrolling back and forth, flying low over the heavy vegetatation. I tracked the dragonfly’s movements with my camera as it flew tantalizingly close to me, only to abruptly change directions each time. All of the sudden, the dragonfly zoomed past me and disappeared into the foliage of a tree on the other side of the trail on which I was standing,
Fortunately I was able to see where the dragonfly had landed and eventually I found it perched on the underside of a branch. The second shot shows the view that I had after I had approached the dragonfly cautiously. If you look closely at the space between the dragonfly’s head and the branch, you will see that it is in the process of eating what looks to be a black and yellow insect of some kind. In my experience, when dragonflies are eating, they tend to be so focused on their food that I can get closer to them than might otherwise be possible.
From that distance I could already identify it as a Swamp Darner dragonfly (Epiaeschna heros), one of the largest dragonflies in our area, almost 3.5 inches in length (89 mm). I was happy to be able to get the side shot, but wanted a different angle, so I maneuvered my way around and captured the dorsal view shown in the first photo. From this angle you get a really good view of its amazing blue eyes and the wonderful circular ring markings on its abdomen. The angle of view also showed me some body parts that allowed me to determine that this is a male.
I spent only a couple of hours hunting dragonflies on Monday, but had a very successful day, finding the elusive Mocha Emerald that I featured yesterday and this gorgeous Swamp Darner. Folks frequently ask me why I like dragonflies so much and I think that the first photo is a convincing visual response to such a query—no further explanations should be required.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Another beautiful post, Mike. I love the banding patterns in the body … and the eyes – so striking.
Thanks, Chris. The patterns and eyes of Swamp Darners make them one of the prettiest dragonflies that I have seen.(Although the Migrant Hawker dragonfly that I saw a couple of years ago during a trip to Brussels, Belgium rivals its beauty. https://michaelqpowell.com/2018/09/04/migrant-hawker-dragonflies-in-brussels/)
Beautiful photos, Mike! My Aunt loved dragonflies, and she photographed them all the time too, though her equipment was nowhere near as sophisticated as yours. I used to marvel at the captures she was able to get—like yours! Wonderful!
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Thanks, Mitzy. It is so easy to fall in love with dragonflies and it is so cool to hear that your aunt also liked to photograph them too.
Thank you Mike. The photos are amazing. The first is so fantastic almost magical. These tiny winged creatures look so magical. Awesomeness! Great post. 🙏😊
Thanks, Suzetter. “Magical” is in fact how I see these beautiful little creatures. Sometimes it seems like they are covered with pixie dust. 🙂
You are certainly getting some real beautiful Odonata lately, Mike! Awesome photography, as always.
Thanks, Pete. We are in a period now when there are lots of the common dragonflies everywhere, but it is harder to find the uncommon one. The day I spotted the Mocha Emerald and the Swamp Darner was definitely a good day for me.
I don’t know how you ever found that little guy. I had to look for a second to see him in the second photo 🙂
Great photos!
I probably would have not spotted the dragonfly if I had not seen it fly to the spot. He blended in so well, that I lost him sometimes when I looked into the viewfinder of my camera.
This is a really awesome dragonfly and the photos are super cool! When I made the top photo the biggest it is as big as the computer screen. I could see three green dots above the pretty blue eyes that look like two little eyes and a smiley mouth. I know it’s not but it made me laugh! Then I made the other photo the biggest and I can really see him eating the insect. It looks like a yellow jacket that can sting you. I remember cause one stung Gem when we were adventuring a long time ago. Thank you, Mr. Mike!
Thanks, Benjamin. I looked at the first photo up close and can definitely see the smiley face that you noted. I can’t tell for sure what the dragonfly was eating, but it could easily be a yellow jacket. I am lucky that I have never been stung by one, but I try to avoid them whenever I see them.
Wonderful photos. Those eyes are so striking.
Thanks, Laura.
Gorgeous is certainly a good descriptor for this fine fellow. It bears a striking resemblance to the Lake Darners (Aeshna eremita) that I see in northern Minnesota. Here’s one: https://krikitarts.wordpress.com/2015/08/13/big-bog-slog-blog-no-dog/.
Your Lake Darner, Gary, is stunning–I would love to see one in person. So many dragonflies, so little time. 🙂
I agree! Nuf said 🙂