I have been having a really successful spring season in photographing dragonflies. Shaking off some of the winter doldrums, I have spent endless hours this month tramping about in a variety of habitats searching for these magical little creatures. I feel like I am now sprinting to the finish of a marathon on this final day of April
I was amazed to spot Stream Cruisers (Didymops transversa) on Monday at Occoquan Regional Park. I have seen Stream Cruiser dragonflies before, but never at this location. I was able to get shots of both a male (in the first photo) and a female (in the second photo). You can easily see the difference, I think, between the two genders, especially at the ends of their abdomens (the “tail”). Both of them, though, have the same long legs that always make their perching positions seem. a little awkward.
Earlier this spring, I spotted a large exuvia, the discarded exoskeleton of a dragonfly that has emerged, that my friend and fellow dragonfly enthusiast Walter Sanford was able to identify as being from a Stream Cruiser. I have included a photo of that exuvia as a final photo to give you a sense of the shape of the final stage of the water-dwelling nymph before it crawled onto dry land and began its metamorphosis to a new and exciting stage of its life as a dragonfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The old casing shows such a contrast between old and new! Very handsome markings on the adult.
Thanks, Eliza. It is always so interesting to hear the reactions of folks to these kinds of postings. Although I am pretty familiar with dragonflies, I still feel a sense of awe and wonder when I encounter them. It is hard to translate those feelings into words and sometimes images that highlight the visual contrast you noted help transmit to others a sense of those emotions.
Truly!
I love the photos and also appreciate the education. I don’t think I even knew the word “exuvia” before today.
It’s not a word that an average person would use in everyday conversation. I sometimes use the term “discarded exoskeleton,” which at least gives you an idea what it is. 🙂
My youngest son had an (unknown to me) vast collection of discarded cicada exoskeletons a few years ago. Knowing that word could have been beneficial then.
Now wait a minute! Walter can identify by the exuvia what used to live there? As someone said in an earlier post, “You have been out geeked!” What an expert he indeed must be! After the dust has settled from the move I need to slow down at the Nature Center ponds MUCH MORE!!
Apparently there are extensive systematic checklists that Walter goes through in determining the species from the exuviae, Molly. He used to be a science teacher and that definitely influences his approach. It seems to be a bit like archaeology. If you want a sense of what he does, take a look at this pretty cool posting, one of many he has done about dragonfly exuviae. https://waltersanford.wordpress.com/2016/12/12/tramea-carolina-exuvia/
Very nice Mike! Still waiting to see dragonflies here!!