Eastern Pondhawks in July

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Eastern Pondhawks in July

July 6, 2021 by Mike Powell

The ponds and marshes are alive with the sight of flying dragonflies. As the summer weather has grown increasingly hot and humid, the number of dragonflies has increased —we are probably nearing the peak of dragonfly activity.

One of the species that I encounter most frequently is the Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis). When male Eastern Pondhawks are immature, they sport the emerald coloration and striped abdomens of their female siblings, but as they get older they turn into a beautiful shade of blue that is a perfect complement to their bright green faces and bluish-green eyes.

I spotted these two adult male Eastern Pondhawks last Saturday during a visit to Occoquan Regional Park. Unlike some species that always perch in the same way, Eastern Pondhawks will perch in a variety of different ways almost anywhere. I selected these two photos today because I like the way that they show off the coloration of these handsome dragonflies.

Posted in Dragonflies, dragonfly, Insects, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, Eastern Pondhawk, Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly, Erythemis simplicicollis, Fairfax County Virginia, Lorton VA, Occoquan Regional Park, Tamron 180mm | 11 Comments

11 Responses

on July 6, 2021 at 7:14 am | Reply Michael Garcia

Thanks for always educating us about Garden Dragons …..is there a guide out there that I can use when i take pictures of them? Thanks

Sent from my iPad Michael Garcia 571-999-3590

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying ……Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said …… Here am I……… SEND ME Isaiah 6:8

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- on July 6, 2021 at 8:02 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  My favorite on-line resource is the Dragonflies of Northern Virginia website (http://dragonfliesnva.com/). In terms of hardcopy guides, I like Dennis Paulson’s Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (https://www.amazon.com/Dragonflies-Damselflies-Princeton-Field-Guides/dp/0691122830/).
on July 6, 2021 at 8:22 am | Reply Ellen Jennings

It sure is fun to be in the midst of all that dragonfly activity, Mike. These are great captures showing off the Eastern Pondhawk.
- on July 6, 2021 at 10:08 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ellen. It is a really different vibe from my hunting expeditions earlier in the season, where I would hike for hours to have the chance to spot a dragonfly or two. Even with the most common species, like the Eastern Pondhawk, I try to capture them with as much care and skill as I can.
on July 6, 2021 at 9:52 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

This is lovely. Such gorgeous colours.
- on July 6, 2021 at 10:13 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Tricia. I love the coolness of the colors of this dragonfly, especially as we enter into a period of merciless heat and humidity.
  - on July 17, 2021 at 8:00 am Patricia M Osborne
    
    I think we have that heat now!
on July 6, 2021 at 6:48 pm | Reply Dan Antion

That’s a striking color.
on July 6, 2021 at 9:04 pm | Reply SherWoei

Beautiful Eastern Pondhawk you have captured.
- on July 6, 2021 at 9:10 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks do much for your kind words.
on July 7, 2021 at 1:28 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!