I was happy last Monday to finally get a shot of a female Swift Setwing dragonfly (Dythemis velox) at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge—all of my previous photos this year have been of males. With some dragonfly species, like Common Whitetails, I generally see an equal number of males and females, but with other species, like the Swift Setwing, the females tend to hang out in different places than the males and are rarely seen. The female visits the location where they males are found—in this case, the pond—only when she decides that she is ready for mating.
The first image shows the typical wings-forward pose of Swift Setwings, which allows us to see the beautiful markings on the upper part of the abdomen of this female. In the second image, she has raised her wings into a position much like that of other dragonflies, which lets us get a better view of her face. As I recall, a breeze was blowing in the face of the dragonfly when I took the second shot and she may have raised her wings to reduce her profile and wind resistance.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Great images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them! I never came across one of these so it was nice to see!
Thanks, Reed. This species is primarily a southern one, but seems to be spreading northward gradually.
I love looking at their wings.
Thanks, Dan. Few viewers will become as fanatical about dragonflies as I am, but I’m hoping many of them will become a bit more knowledgeable about them and able to better appreciate the differences among the different species.
I hardly ever see them. If I ever get a chance to photograph one, I’ll post it and hope that you can identify it for me 🙂
Terrific photographs, Mike!
Looks like I’ll have to travel north if I want to find one. Sigh.
The Swift Setwing is primarily a southern species. It was shocking a few years ago when I saw the first documented one in our county and they have taken residence at this one pond now where I took my photo.
Range maps indicate they occur in Florida’s panhandle, where my brother and sister live. I need to visit them soon!
Seeing these ‘critters’ out in the marshes only makes your shots that much more impressive. 👏👏👏
Thanks, Ted. Casual views may appreciate the beauty of a particular shot, but fellow nature/wildlife photographers tend to have a much deeper appreciation, because they recognize the difficulty associated with getting certain shots.
More nice work, Mike. I am not seeing as many dragons and damsels. I think I need to get out later, an unusual idea for me, so they are flying more as they warm.
Thanks, Steve. Timing is important, as you suggested. Sunrises and birds require a much earlier departure time than dragonflies. I have dreams of capturing shots of dew-covered dragonflies, but you have to be really lucky to find them in the early morning. Most species are active during the warmest and most sunny parts of the day, though there are some that prefer the shadows and/or dusk.
Wow!!