I tend to associate dragonflies primarily with marshes and ponds, but a few dragonflies also like sandy beaches. Most of the times that I have observed Common Sanddragon dragonflies (Progomphus obscurus) they have been perched directly on the sandy edges of forest streams, which makes sense, given their name. On Monday I was thrilled to spot some Common Sanddragons at Wickford Park, a small park adjacent to Huntley Meadows Park, a marshland refuge where I used to do a lot of shooting before it became too popular.
Although the dragonfly in the first image may look like he was perched on the ground, he was actually on the slanted side of a concrete drainage ditch. Normally I try to avoid man-made backgrounds for my subjects, but this shot provided a good overall view of the entire body of the Common Sanddragon. It might be my imagination, but it looks to me like this little guy was glancing up at me and smiling. Double-click on the image and see what you think.
In many ways I prefer the second shot, with the Common Sanddragon dragonfly perched amidst the rocks at the edge of the stream. I love the different colors, shapes, and textures of the rocks and don’t mind that the dragonfly itself is harder to spot. I consider the image to be a kind of environmental portrait.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! Always fun ti see your dragonfly images!
Thanks, Reed. It’s nice to see some familiar friends. I don’t think I saw any Common Sanddragons at all last year.
Yes, that first fella is definitely looking up at you and smiling, Mike. Gave me a big smile, and oh how beautiful this creature is. I liked both photos, the wet pebbles were nice in the second one. They blend in so much to their environment, I think you have dragonfly eyes, Mike.
Thanks, Jet. I think I have dragonfly shapes imprinted in my brain now, so somehow it has become a little easier to spot them, even when they are perched. Of course, it is easier to spot them when they fly, but often they fly away, so I will scan an area really carefully before moving forward when I am in a place where I expect to see a dragonfly.
That’s a nice capture, Mike. I think you would be the only one to know what the background is.
That first one definitely seems to be flashing you an impish grin. And that multi-color and -structure background for the second is as interesting as the dragonfly. This is another that would make for a great puzzle.
Thanks, Gary. My Mom loved to do jigsaw puzzles and they are a part of my childhood memories. That second image would make a cool puzzle.