When the urge to take photos strikes me, I am undeterred by drizzle or intermittent light rain, though heavier rain and gusty winds tend to keep me at home. Of course, weather is unpredictable and I have gotten drenched in downpours a number of times. I carry an array of plastic bags and coverings to protect my gear, which is usually my number one priority.
Last Friday, it was raining off and on and I decided to visit Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge to see if any creatures were stirring. Not surprisingly, dragonflies were at the top of my list, though I doubted that any of them would be flying in the rain. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when I spotted this male Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis). I watched him land on a droplet-laden plant and managed to capture the first image below.
As I continued to walk around the small pond, I noticed a Black and Yellow Garden Orbweaver (Argiope aurantia) in its web, patiently waiting for a passing prey to be snagged. I thought the long brown object just below the spider might be a caterpillar or some other insect, but it turned out to be only a small twig.
There were a lot of flowers in bloom and my eyes were attracted to a cluster of small purple asters. The colors seemed really saturated and I liked the way that the droplets of water stood out on the petals.
So, I was able to capture a few photos to share, despite the rain. About the only thing that the images have in common is that they all include raindrops, which I believe add an additional element of interest to what otherwise might have been rather ordinary shots.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The effect of the rain can be so wonderful 🙂
I agree completely, Rudi. Sometimes I will even attempt to take photos will holding an umbrella–it is not ideal, but it works.
Very nice Mike! It is fun to photograph images with raindrops!
The raindrops add lovely texture to these photos and really help set the Dragonfly capture apart from the pack of typically static photos out there. Well done! Best, Babsje
I enjoyed every one of these vibrant photos, Mike, and the raindrops that appeared differently on each of one. The Pondhawk is magnificent, I like the sparkles on the wings juxtaposed with the raindrops on the leaf. The spider is an artful display of web lines and droplets. Those two are my favorites. The asters are delightful for, as you say, the brilliant color. And of course the joy of rain, to those of us in California, is a marvel in itself.
Fantastic how water even a few droplets add more “life”
All three photos are great. The inclusion of the raindrops adds another visual texture to the images. In the case of the dragonfly, it also adds to the sparkle and shimmer of the wings and, in the spider photo, it really makes the web look magical and adds to the framing of the spider.
Excellent photos, Mike. I love water drops. These are all good, but I particularly like the first one.
It’s the colour of a blueberry.
I can see that. 🙂
Yes! The raindrops do make the images stand out. I love how they form on vegetation and webs–so unlike what we think of when we think of water.
I wonder if there was ever a time when you prioritized something other than your gear in a rainstorm. I bet not!
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I suspect that the surface texture and viscosity play play a role in the way that water droplets behave. I consider myself drip dry, so I am not too worried about getting wet or muddy. The last time I was caught in a real downpour, I was a couple of miles from where my car was parked. The only real concern I had was making sure that my car keys did not get drenched.
Nice series, Mike. The rain adds a nice element, and interesting to see a dragonfly out moving around in the rain.