How do you stand out from the crowd? A touch of gold always adds a bit of bling, especially if you are a dragonfly. I spotted this young male Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula needhami) yesterday while exploring a small pond in Fairfax County.
At the moment this juvenile male Needham’s Skimmer has the same colors as a female, but eventually his abdomen will turn an orange-red in color, but retain the black stripe down the middle. It is still a bit early in the season, though, for me to see an adult, as Needham’s Skimmers are a summer species that is just now starting to emerge—this is my first sighting of one this year.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
This is an especially pretty one. I’ll look forward to seeing the developing colors as the weeks pass.
I love seeing these and I reckon I’ve just got to write a poem about them!
Beautiful photo! What a delicate and marvelous creature!
Very Nice Mike! I always get these confused with the Golden-winged Skimmer!
Beautiful capture, Mike.
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This is a real beauty, Mike, and a super photo!
Thanks, Pete.
Beautiful capture, Mike!
Thanks, Eliza.