Some of you may remember my excitement from my blog posting a week ago when I photographed an Eastern Least Clubtail dragonfly (Stylogomphus albistylus) for the first time in my life. Yesterday I returned to the same location in Fairfax County and explored several branches of the stream in which I had previously seen the Eastern Clubtail perched on a rock.
I mostly paid attention to the sunny spots in the stream and to the stones in the middle of them, which they are supposed to prefer, but came up empty-handed. Eastern Least Clubtails are only 1.2 to 1.4 inches (31-36 mm) in length, so it was a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. I returned several times to the exact location where I previously photographed the dragonfly—I can actually identify the precise rock on which he perched—and on one of those occasions I visually tracked a dragonfly as it landed in some nearby vegetation.
Imagine my shock when I realized that the dragonfly perched only a few feet away was a male Eastern Least Clubtail—the shapes and brightness of the appendages at the tip of the abdomen (the “tail”) are unmistakeable. I captured a few images before the dragonfly flew off again and I was able to resume my breathing. I am not sure what kind of vegetation this is, but it made for a cool-looking landing pad for this handsome dragonfly.
According to the Dragonflies of Northern Virginia website, this species should be around until almost the end of July, so I will probably return a few more time to this spot to see if I can spot this tiny dragonfly again and, with some luck, will manage to spot a female—both of the Eastern Least Clubtails that I have photographed have been males.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
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I so enjoy reading your posts, Mike. Not only are your photos of these insects stunning, but your narrative is really captivating, too!
I agree totally.
Thanks, Suzette.
Thanks so much for your kind words. When I started my blog almost nine years ago, I thought it would be primarily a gallery for my photos. What I soon discovered, however, was that I enjoyed expressing myself in words as much as in my photos. Now I will occasionally say that the photos are sometimes merely an excuse for me to write something about how I am feeling or about what I am doing or thinking.
I’m so glad to be one of your readers. Always enjoy the photos and the text.
Halbard-Leaved Tearthumb, Pesicaria arifolia. I’ve been enlarging all your photos and really enjoying the amazing details.
Wow. Thanks for the assist in identifying the plant for me. I had no idea what it was.
The Tearthumbs have small downward pointing barbs on the stems, clearly visible in your photo. Run you finger upwards along the stems and you will bleed. And the leaf shape is distinctive in this species, which likes stream edges. Glad to help with botany.
Terrific photograph!
Thanks, Wally.
Great Detail in your image Mike! Love the detail in the wings!