I love to see dragonflies with patterned wings and it is a real bonus when they have two different colored patterns, like this young male Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) that I spotted last week at Occoquan Regional Park. I can tell that it is a male, because females do not have the white spots, and that it is young, because as the males get older, their bodies develop a waxy blue powder called pruinescence.
Some of you who are mathematically inclined may have tried to count the dragonfly’s spots and come up with a number higher than twelve. It is a little confusing, but someone in the past decided to count only the dark spots, three on each wing, to come with the name Twelve-spotted Skimmer. It many not make complete sense, but I have long ago given up trying to understand the “logic” of some of the names of species that I have encountered.
This dragonfly seemed quite skittish and flew around a lot over the pond before it settled for a moment on some vegetation close to me. The multiple spots on the dragonfly’s wings make it easy to track visually, making it look almost like a butterfly. When I took my shots and afterwards in post-production, I tried a few different ways to present the butterfly. For the first image, I shot from a front angle and cropped to a square to give greater emphasis to the dragonfly.
For the second image, I moved a little more to the side and shot from a higher angle so that more of the surface area of the wings was visible. I also used a portrait aspect ratio to show more of the interesting vegetation on which the dragonfly was perched.
I like each of the two images for different reasons. Is there one of the two that stands out to you more than the other?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Very nice photo, Mike, and I always appreciate the information.
Very nice photo, Mike, and I always appreciate the information.
Thanks, Dan.
Beautiful! You capture the dragonfly really well!
Thanks so much. I was happy that the dragonfly stayed in place while I got my shots.
They are the most gentle creatures!
captureD
I adore this one.
it looks like he is made from silver !
Such beautiful creatures. It amazes me that you are able to capture their pure beauty so well. Blessings and honor, Christine
Thanks, Christine. I am blessed to live in an area with quite a few different species of dragonflies and damselflies and love trying to capture their delicate beauty with my camera.
That’s amazing! 😀
To answer your Q: Wouldn’t have wanted you to miss either shot from the post but if I had to choose between the two I’d go for the second one. 🙂
I happen to like that one a little better too, Liz. WordPress doesn’t handle portrait format images as the featured image in the Reader, which is the only reason why I did not lead with the second image.
Oh yes .. I too try to use a horizontal for the lead pic.
I very much like the first one better, though why may be a deep psychological exploration, lol. I think for the intimacy of it seeming more relaxed and facing me more, like he is saying, “Come closer, and I will share a secret of the universe,” whereas in the other, I feel I better keep some distance or it will take off. 🙂 Is that your most original answer? 🙂
That is definitely the most original response that I have received, Laura. It is interesting to hear how a slight shift in my shooting angle made such a significant change in your perceptions. I sometimes have discussions with a friend who also photographs dragonflies. I tend to prefer shots with direct eye contact, while he prefers shots from the side. Why? When you shoot from the front, you accept that parts of the dragonfly’s body will not be in focus, which is not an issue for me–I want the kind of interpersonal exchange that you describe, Laura, that comes with eye contact. My friend has a more clinical, scientific approach and prefers details over intimacy.
😃😊
“I have long ago given up trying to understand the “logic” of some of the names of species that I have encountered.” Smart man!! I like Photo #2 shows me better detail. I really like it!
The details are so clear! Great images, Mike.
Thanks, Chris. I was really fortunate in this particular case that the dragonfly landed pretty close to where I was standing, which made it easier to almost fill the frame with the subject without having to move closer and potentially scaring the dragonfly.
Very Nice Mike! Great Dragonfly images! Both are nice, but I like the wings on the 2nd one a little better!
This is awesome!
Thanks.