I was ecstatic on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to finally capture some images of Fine-lined Emerald dragonflies (Somatochlora filosa), a species for which I have been searching repeatedly this past month. Fine-lined Emeralds are one of several species that appear in the autumn, just as the number of most species of dragonflies is beginning to drop precipitously. I had spotted what I think were Fine-lined Emeralds several times earlier in September, but for me the sighting does not really “count” if I am not able to take a photograph.
Fine-lined Emeralds like to spend a lot of time patrolling, and a lesser amount of time perching. Unlike many of species that fly about high in the air, this species often flies at at somewhere between knee and eye-level.
On this day I spotted at least two individuals patrolling along one of the trails that runs parallel to the water. I alternated between chasing after the dragonflies and waiting for them to return—the patrol routes seem to be of a fixed length and the dragonflies would do a U-turn when they reached the end and fly back where they had been.
The dragonfly in the first two images is the same individual with a damaged rear wing, while the one in the final photo seems to be a different individual with an intact wing. I love the beautiful green eyes of this species, a characteristic they share with other members of the Emerald family. Those eyes seem to glow when the dragonfly is flying right at you.
If you look closely at the abdomen of the dragonflies, you can see the thin white/golden lines that I thought were responsible for the “fine-lined” portion of the name of this dragonfly species. However, a sharp-eyed fellow dragonfly enthusiast gently reminded me, after he read my initial posting, that the fine white stripes on the sides of the thorax (the “chest”) are responsible for the “fine-lined” name—you can see them best in the middle photo. I checked my identification guide and he is correct. Humility comes with the territory when it comes to identifying wildlife species.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Reblogged this on Wonders of Wandering.
Very nice images Mike! Never saw one of these before! Great images!
Thanks, Reed. This species is pretty uncommon where I live and is a mostly southern species. I was pretty happy with the shots, especially because I was shooting at the long end of my 150-600mm lens. I tried to frame the shots very carefully and was using a monopod, so the images are relatively sharp.
I see the fine line. Not easy with these critters, well done.
Thanks, Ted. You can appreciate the fact that I was able to get that much detail despite taking the photos at the 600mm end of my 150-600mm zoom lens.
Congratulations on finding these beauties and capturing their images so well!
Out of the relatively large Emerald family, the Fine-lined is the only one we may have a chance of spotting in our area. Sadly, I have yet to find one.
Thanks, Wally. Around here, Mocha Emeralds are a bit more common, though I am lucky if I see one in any given year. This one wildlife refuge is the only place where I know there are Fine-lined Emeralds in our area. As for the rest of the Emerald family, I have been fortunate this year to photograph Prince Baskettails, Common Baskettails, Uhler’s Sundragons, and one Selys’s Sundragon.
Beautiful and fantastic shots!
Thanks, Tricia. I was surprised and delighted today when my newest poetry package from the Hedgehog Poetry Press arrived and I saw that it contains your newest pamphlet Sherry and Sparkly. I look forward to delving into it soonest.
Beautiful portraits. You have captured the beautiful hues of the eye perfectly and I love the detail of the wings picked out in the light. It makes me think of Medieval glass.
Thanks, Laura. I am in total agreement about the allure of medieval glass, with all of its flaws and imperfections enhancing its beauty.
Those eyes are striking!
Thanks, Chris.
BTW do you realise your featured image on your post is a bee rather than the Emerald, Mike?
Wow. Let me check on that. I am not sure how that happened. Thanks for alerting, Chris. Earlier today I uploaded a bee photo into the media library and somehow it must have inadvertently gotten inserted into the posting. I think I have it fixed now, though I am not one hundred percent sure.
This species is new to me too, and they are beauties, well worth the wait–and the patience.
Thanks, Gary.