I was happy to finally photograph a mature male Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula needhami) on Wednesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Earlier this season all of the ones I shot were immature and did not have the reddish-orange/brown tones that remind me that autumn is on the way.
Here in the northern hemisphere, autumn will begin in just a few days for those using the meteorological calendar, though many of us won’t start the season until the autumnal equinox on 22 September, according to the astronomical calendar. On the other side of the globe, spring is about to begin and new life is bursting forth in places like New Zealand and Australia, where some of my most devoted readers live. For them, the September equinox is the vernal equinox, and not the autumnal equinox and I look forward to seeing their photos of daffodils, crocuses, and other spring flowers.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Pretty colour! I’m depending on you for colour thanks Mike. We’re stuck in strict lockdown in NZ!
Yikes. I will try to find some color, Liz. I did not realize that you were on lockdown there. In my part of the world, infection rates continue to be high and I am mostly limiting my contact with people and wear a mask when that is not possible.
We’ve been at our highest Level 4 lockdown for exactly 2 weeks. Tomorrow night everywhere sans Auckland Region moves to L3 (only a slight loosening, we can get takeout food again tho’ so hopefully our local cafe will start making treats again!)
We all have to do our part to keep each other safe. That’s my personal feeling, though it is not an official policy and in not a position universally embraced by all Americans. I am glad to hear that restrictions are loosening a little for you.
He’s a pretty one.
Thanks, Tricia.
Wow! I never saw this color before on a dragonfly. Very neat!
I needed you and your awesome photography skills earlier today. I noticed a female cardinal hopping around in the yard trying to get at something. I couldn’t tell at first what it was, but I was able to creep closer and I saw that it was a praying mantis. The mantis was in a full defense position. It was super cool.
It’s pretty. Red is my favorite dragonfly color
Thanks, Phebie.
Very nice Mike! Always enjoy your dragonfly images!
Thanks, Reed.
Very nice capture, Mike. I love that bold color.
Thanks, Ellen. I am hoping to see more red soon as the Autumn Meadowhawks and Blue-faced Meadowhawks appear on the scene soon. Both species have bright red bodies, though they are quite a bit smaller than the Needham’s Skimmers (1.4 inches for the meadowhawks vs 2.2 inches for the Needham’s).
I’ve been looking for other varieties, but so far seeing only more of the same. Not that that is bad 😁. Of course we haven’t been out that much, either, and kind of over did it on yesterday’s outing in the heat.
I know that our heat and humidity have been oppressive through much of August and it has almost certainly has been worse for you, Ellen. Yesterday I got a glimpse of one of my fall target species, but it did not land, so I was unable to get a shot. I am optimistic, though, for better luck as we move into September.
This summer seems worse than previous, but that may just be because we aren’t going anywhere indoor. And here we are in September, the weather and the species will have to shift soon!