Great Blue Skimmer in July

July 23, 2020 by Mike Powell

We are definitely in the summer doldrums, with day after day of oppressive heat and humidity. This week has been a bit different only because we have had some violent thunder storms. In terms of dragonflies, the common skimmer species are flying about in great numbers. In my area, that means that on a trip Tuesday to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I saw lots of Common Whitetails, Eastern Pondhawks, Needham’s Skimmers, Blue Dashers, and Great Blue Skimmers.

Although I have photographed these species many times, I still chase after them, trying to capture new behavior or interesting portraits, perches, or backgrounds. That is why I was able to capture this image of this smiling female Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula vibrans) as she perched on some stalks of Eastern Gammagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides). I do not know vegetation very well, but I remember my friend Walter Sanford identifying this type of grass to me a few years ago and somehow the name has stuck with me.

In many ways, this photograph is indicative of my favorite approach to wildlife photography. Although I will sometimes look for rare species to photograph, I especially enjoy photographing common species and highlighting their uncommon beauty. Beauty is everywhere.

Posted in Dragonflies, dragonfly, Insects, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, Eastern gamagrass, female Great Blue Skimmer, Great Blue Skimmer, Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly, Libellula vibrans, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Tamron 180mm, Tripsacum dactyloides, Woodbridge VA | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on July 23, 2020 at 8:29 am | Reply Platypus Man

Yes, there is beauty in the most common species if we have the eyes to see it.
- on July 23, 2020 at 8:43 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Amen. Some of my friends say that I am “lucky” to see all of these creatures and I bite my tongue to avoid saying that it is not about luck, it is about awareness.
on July 23, 2020 at 8:39 am | Reply Dan Antion

Great shot, Mike. I’m with you on finding beauty everywhere.
- on July 23, 2020 at 8:45 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. It is one of the reasons why I am content to return to the same places over and over again, unlike some folks who constantly need new stimuli.
on July 23, 2020 at 8:52 am | Reply William Wise

Yes, the heat of the summer has really settled in. The only things I see during the day are dragonflies and Mourning Doves on the wires! William
- on July 23, 2020 at 9:28 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I suspect that I will have to venture out at sunrise to get some bird photos, but I am trying to avoid the popular locations. Some of the local photographers have been getting some wonderful shots of indigo buntings in sunflower fields across the Potomac in Maryland.
on July 23, 2020 at 9:02 am | Reply Benjamin

Namaste, Mr. Mike. I like this photo with the pretty blurry green behind the smiley dragonfly. I have a question about the Gamagrass the dragonfly is on. I asked Gem but she doesn’t know. We tried to find out by using Google, but we didn’t find the answer. Do you know if the little red things are seeds that will make more plants? We did learn that Gamagrass is good for wildlife! Thank you!
- on July 23, 2020 at 9:38 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Benjamin. I went looking around to look for additional information about gammagrass. As you suspected, the little red things look to be seeds. One website said “Following initial seed head production in July, eastern gamagrass will continue to develop seed heads throughout the remainder of the growing season until mid-September. Seeds mature from the end of the spike and will break at the joints between kernels and drop as they mature.” Some of the seeds will grow into new plants, but farmers that grow gammagrass for their cows may have to plant it themselves to get more of it to grow.
on July 23, 2020 at 9:22 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Thank you Mike for “chasing” after those wonderful stories that nature to want to tell us. And going the extra lengths to capture a moment of that for admiration/reflection. Great photo!❤
- on July 23, 2020 at 9:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Suzette. As you have undoubtedly noticed, I enjoy the “chase” and then sharing the results of my efforts.
on July 23, 2020 at 11:12 am | Reply Suzette Benjamin

Yes, indeed I have noticed👍😊
on July 23, 2020 at 3:59 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

This shows yet another unusual angel for the photographer to capture! So wonderful, gammagrass and all!
- on July 23, 2020 at 4:44 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Molly. I suspect that you meant to say “unusual angle,” but I think I like it better the way that you initially wrote your comment. After all, Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 🙂
  - on July 23, 2020 at 7:34 pm Molly Lin Dutina
    
    Oops. Perhaps it was not an error?
on July 23, 2020 at 10:31 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Love that background!
- on July 24, 2020 at 5:40 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Eliza. That background was what made this shot stand out when I was reviewing my images.
on July 24, 2020 at 4:28 am | Reply krikitarts

If one were angling for an angel, I think one could very well pursue that quest with a study of damsels and dragons.
- on July 24, 2020 at 5:36 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  And my course is set on such a quest.