I enjoy wearing camouflage when I am traipsing about in the wild. It is not so much that I am trying to hide, but somehow it connects me to my past life as an Army officer. One of the patterns that I sport from time to time is an urban pattern that is a mixture of white, black, and gray rather than the greens and browns of traditional camouflage patterns.
When I spotted this Gray Petaltail dragonfly (Tachopteryx thoreyi) last Sunday as I was exploring in Fairfax Country, I had this strange thought that the drab colors of this dragonfly would blend in perfectly in an urban environment (though he is more likely to be found in a seep than in a city). Part of that thought might have come from the fact that the dragonfly was perched on a manmade trail sign rather than on the side of a tree where I usually find Gray Petaltails.
Normally I prefer natural perches for my wildlife subjects, but somehow this one really works for me. The large wire staples at the top of the post help to add to the industrial vibe of the images. I really like the textures and colors of the post and they serve as an interesting backdrop of the dragonfly. The shadows from the wings add a final bit of visual interest to the images, especially the second one.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
He does blend in rather well. In the first photo, the wing shadows make me think of a butterfly.
Although he does blend nicely with his perch, the shadows from his wings points him out quite nicely. Great photo Mike👍
Thanks, Suzette. I love it when I can somehow manage to get shadows and/or reflections into my photos.
Awesome
I liked hearing about your camouflage and this gray petaltail’s too, Mike. Wonderful photos, both of them, and I really like the shadows. The wings are so delicate, that they produce shadows and you captured it is lovely.
Thanks, Jet. The shadows are always cool for the wings. Sometimes it looks like the dragonfly has extra sets of wings or, as is the case here, the shadows make it look almost like a butterfly.
Superb photographs of a terrific dragon, Mike!
With a subject this unique, who cares about the background? As I know you practice, take a shot first, worry about composition later.
Thanks, Wally. I usually try to get an initial shot when I first spot a dragonfly, even if it is pretty far away. I then will try to take more and better shots as I move closer, if the subject stays in place. It is always touch and go out in the field, as you well know. If I can compose in the wild, I’ll try to do so, but things like cropping can always wait until I am back home in front of the computer monitor.
Very Nice Mike! It does blend in! Great Image!
Nice photos, and thank you for your service, Mike.
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