I was thrilled on Wednesday to spot some Banded Pennant dragonflies (Celithemis fasciata) at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge. Earlier this season I photographed Calico Pennants and a Halloween Pennant and it is nice to capture images of another “pennant” species with patterned wings. This is the only local spot where I have reliably seen them in the past, and in some years I have not see a single one.
Adult male Banded Pennants are blue, like so many other dragonflies, but the distinctive pattern on their wings make them easy to distinguish from the others. They may be easy to identify, but they are small in size—about 1.3 inches (34 mm) in length—and perch in vegetation right at the edge of the water, so you have to look carefully to spot them.
I was fortunate to have multiple opportunities to photograph Banded Pennants that day. The colorful little dragonflies would make short forays over the deeper waters of the pond, but would sometimes would return to the same clumps of vegetation. The banks of the pond are pretty steep in many spots, so I had to really pay attention as I leaned over the edge to capture some of these images, but I managed to stay dry.
Have a wonderful weekend.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
The first image here is very impressive. 👏👏👏
Thanks, Ted. I always have a fun time chasing after these little guys. 🙂
Good thing you’re flexible 😂🤣, there’s a reason I hunt out the big guys 😁
What a beauty.
Thanks, Michael.
Welcome. My pleasure.
Nice one
Thanks, Sherry. I am blessed to live in an area with a pretty good variety of dragonflies and it is fun to try to photograph as many different ones as I can.
This is an especially pretty one!
I love the blue color and the lovely wing patterns. Great photos, Mike.
Nice series of Banded Pennant dragonfly images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!
Jaw droppingly stunning!
Lovely photos! I’ve shared a link on twitter.
Thanks, Liz. 🙂
Very fancy wings! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. The patterns on the wings really help certain dragonflies to stand out.