I was busy this week, so I was not able to spend as much time out in nature as normally. The last two days, temperatures have soared well above normal to over 90 degrees (32 degrees C), so it has been really uncomfortable to spend much time outdoors. Later in the summer, my body will grow accustomed to the heat, but right now the high temperatures are unbearable.
I was able to make a short trip on Wednesday to Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, a small nature preserve not far from where I live, and was delighted to spot this female Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (Phanogomphus lividus). Ashy Clubtails are an early spring species—they appear in April and are gone by June—and I have seen them several times already this year. Most of the ones I have spotted have been males, so it was a treat to be able to photograph a female.
Ashy Clubtails like low perches and often perch on the ground, where they often are camouflaged by the vegetation. In this case, the dragonfly perched a bit above ground level, so I was able to get a pretty good shot of her profile. It is probably my imagination, but it seems to me that she was glancing up at me and smiling a little as she posed for this portrait.
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Mike Powell 
I believe she did pose for your photo, Mike. You’re right, it does take some time to get accustomed to the heat.
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I think we will have some respite in the coming weeks before we have to contend with extended periods of summer heat. 🙂
Wonderful! I understand about the heat. Mike, I was diagnosed with cancer last week so I’ll be hit and miss on seeing your nature photos. I’ll see the oncologist Weds to proceed with his plan. It might involve chemo, radiation, or other treatments. They won’t operate since my liver is not good and my pancreas has too big a mass for them to risk right now. It’s gone to my skull (bones), spine, hip, and pelvis. Prayers are appreciated and sorry to share on this delightful post! Karla
I’ll be praying for you, Karla. I am sorry to hear the news of your cancer diagnosis. I had my own little scare last year, but fortunately a biopsy found no cancer in my prostate. Treatment options are a tough choice with each one having potential side-effects as well as possible benefits. Take care. Mike
Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your words of support and especially prayer! 🙏🏻
Isn’t it something to think about what we must look like through those compound eyes? Love the complexities in the angle you’ve captured.
Thanks, Andrea. I too have often wondered what the world would look like through those amazing eyes. Thinking about those eyes and the amazing aerial abilities of dragonflies boggles my mind. 🙂
I saw a pennant dragonfly on my garden wall. Guess who I thought about first? Glad they are almost all back for you to hunt and catalog for us!
Nice Mike! Hopefully Dragonflies start to be around in my area soon!
There was an explosion of dragonflies in my area this past week. On Monday I saw dozens of Common Whitetail dragonflies, the most common summer species where I live. Your time will come soon! 🙂