I have encountered Black-shouldered Spinyleg dragonflies (Dromogomphus spinosus) several times in two different locations over the past week. As you can tell by looking at the enlarged end of their abdomens, these rather large dragonflies (about 2.5 inches (65 mm) in length) are part of the Clubtail family. I spotted the dragonflies in the first and third photos in the vegetation adjacent to a river and the one in the middle photo on a rocky ledge that jutted into a mountain stream.
I must confess that most of the time I have difficulties seeing the “black shoulders” of this species, but the spiny legs can be quite visible. If you click on the final image and look closely at the dragonfly’s back legs, you can’t help but notice the sharp spines that look to be as large and pointed as the thorns in the vegetation that frequently tear at my trousers. The large leg spines of the Black-shouldered Spinyleg help the dragonfly to capture and to hold on to prey.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I’m glad you suggested zooming in on that last photo, Mike. Yikes, I wouldn’t want those legs wrapped around me.
I know that some folks complain that a man’s beard stubble can be rough and prickly, but this takes it to another whole level. 🙂
I wasn’t really thinking when I read your title, and at first I thought I’d be seeing a spider. It’s probably the mention of those spiny legs; I don’t think about legs when I ponder dragonflies.
Most of the time when folks think of dragonflies, they think of the wings. There are a number of dragonfly species, though, that have really long back legs that they can use to snag prey when they are flying.
A fantastic look at the Black-shouldered spinylegs, Mike. I clicked onto all three of the photos, and enjoyed these delightful close-ups, studying the black shoulders and other handsome features. Then in the third photo I heard myself say, “Oh wow” when I found the spiny features on the dragonfly’s legs. Those are some big thorns!
Thanks, Jet. You have definitely broken the code to enjoying my close-up shots more fully. It is fun and informative to look closely at the subjects and the habitat too. Usually I will try to point out specific things that I think that viewers will find interesting. I have thought about using arrows to point out those things, but think that it is actually better for folks to explore the photos–I have had cases when viewers have spotted things that I had missed in my own photos. 🙂
Very Nice Mike! Great Images!!