The calendar and the temperatures both tell me that we have entered into the long, hot, lazy days of summer. Here in the Washington D.C. area, where I live, that often means a lot of humidity too. Some days it can be a bit of a challenge to motivate myself to go out into the wild with my camera.
However, many dragonflies seem to love this kind of weather and the fields and ponds are abuzz with dragonfly activity. One of our common species is the Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula vibrans). This past week I noticed a sharp increase in their numbers as I wandered the trails at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Great Blue Skimmers have stunning blue eyes and white faces, which help to distinguish them from similar species. The Great Blue Skimmer in the first photo, which looks to be a young male, was cooperative and let me get quite close to him to get this close-up view of his head. Dragonflies of this species seem to have a pronounced overbite, which gives them a goofy grin that I find endearing.
I think that the dragonfly in the second shot is a female Great Blue Skimmer. Several dragonfly species share the same black and yellow coloration and pattern for juveniles and for females, so it can often be a real challenge to make a definitive identification. Fortunately, the differences among the species become more pronounced as the dragonflies mature.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Those eyes!
“Goofy grin” is exactly right.
It was a fun challenge figuring out the right words to describe the dragonfly’s facial expression and settled on “goofy grin.” Saying the words aloud brings a smile to my face too.
I’ve never seen a more beautiful capture of a dragonfly than this one! Those eyes!!
Great photos, Mike. I traveled to DC for business many times in the summer. I recall some downright uncomfortable days.
It can be miserable, though I recall from growing up in Massachusetts that the Northeast can be pretty bad at times. By the way, I am 120+ pages into The Knuckleheads and am thoroughly engaged in the story of Zach and Billy–the perfect summertime distraction when it’s too hot to go outside. 🙂
I am so glad to hear that, Mike (not the heat).
We do get hot and sticky up here, but you guys set the bar a lot higher on summer discomfort. I love to walk, but I remember jumping on the Metro for one stop just to escape the heat for a bit.
Great photos! I feel your pain when it comes to the humidity. I live in North Carolina. It will rain here for like 20 minutes on some days then then the sun will be out for the rest of the time. You can see the water vapor rising off of the pavement. Stay cool up there.
Nice captures, Mike, glad you are getting out some.
We haven’t been out much at all the last few weeks with every day into the 90s. I’m getting a bit antsy for an outing and hoping this week is going to cool a bit as the weather app promises.
(I don’t know how much you care, but there is a typo in the second paragraph, first sentence: kind. )
Thanks for noting the typo, Ellen–I fixed it. The weather can be dangerous and I reduce my distances a bit when it is hot and make sure I carry lots of water. I suspect that you are like me in using your time in nature to help restore your sense of well-being. If nothing else, it keeps me from watching the news, which mostly leaves me stressed, if not depressed.
You are welcome, Mike. You are right about nature and trying to stay on an even keel. It sure can be an effort with the overload of info available 24/7.
Glad you are being careful out there, and staying hydrated. Two men had to be rescued last week out in one of the wildlife management areas we frequent. The news didn’t give particulars but it sure gave the appearance that they had been very foolish on a day that went to 100 degrees.
Very nice series of images Mike! Great closeup on the first image! Great detail on the eyes!