Dusky Dancer

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Dusky Dancer

July 22, 2021 by Mike Powell

Our weather recently has been hazy, hot, and humid and we have even had some smog that prompted an air quality alert yesterday as a result of fires in the western part of the United States. From a dragonfly perspective, we are in a kind of summer doldrums period, where the summer dragonflies have been buzzing around for quite some time, and it is too early for the autumn species to appear.

On Tuesday I went exploring in Prince William County and was delighted to spot this handsome Dusky Dancer damselfly (Argia translata) alongside a small stream. I think that this is only the second time that I have managed to photograph this species. Although many damselflies have touches of blue, the dark body and the distinctive markings near the tip of the abdomen (the “tail”) make this pretty easy to identify as a Dusky Dancer.

The rock on which the damselfly was perching is not a great background, but at least it draws the viewer’s eyes to the damselfly and is not at all distracting. Be sure to click on the image to see the wonderful details of the damselfly, including the blue markings on its body and its entrancing eyes.

Posted in damselfly, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Argia translata, Canon 50D, Dusky Dancer, dusky dancer damselfly, Prince William County VA, Tamron 180mm | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on July 22, 2021 at 11:50 am | Reply Jet Eliot

Isn’t it so wonderful to have creatures like this Dusky Dancer sharing the planet with us? I did click on the photo and was thoroughly embraced by this lovely creature and your excellent photography. Thank you Mike.
- on July 22, 2021 at 9:22 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much, Jet. Indeed we live in a world full of wonder. I am glad you were able to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of this tiny damselfly–I love trying to capture and share some of nature’s amazing beauty in my photos.
on July 22, 2021 at 11:52 am | Reply Mitzy Bricker

They are so dainty and pretty!

Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
- on July 22, 2021 at 9:19 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Mitzy. “Dainty” is a perfect word to describe these little damselflies.
on July 22, 2021 at 12:38 pm | Reply Dan Antion

I like the photo. The shadow is impressive.
- on July 22, 2021 at 9:15 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks,Dan. It was cool to get down low and capture the shadow like that, considering that Dusky Dancers are only 1.3 to 1.5 inches in length.
on July 23, 2021 at 10:34 am | Reply Lakshmi Bhat

So delicate and beautiful and those blue lines add colour. Thank you for sharing.