I generally prefer to photograph dragonflies on natural perches, not on manmade ones. However, whenever I visit Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge I always check a piece of rebar that sticks out of the water of Mulligan Pond near one of the fishing platforms, because I have found that dragonflies love this photogenic perch.
Last Wednesday, I spotted a male Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (Perithemis tenera) perched on the rebar. It flew away as I approached, but I waited patiently and it eventually returned. I tried a number of different approaches in framing my shots, taking advantage of the changing background caused by the movement of the brownish waters of the pond.
I love the contrast between the colors, patterns, and textures of the natural object, the dragonfly, and those of the man-made subject, the rebar. The muddy waters of the pond provide a mostly uniform background color that really complements the amber and rust tones of the primary subjects.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
If that’s 3/8″ rebar, that’s one tiny dragonfly!
I don’t know much about rebar, but suspect that the piece in the photo is bigger than 3/8″ in diameter. That being said, Eastern Amberwings are one of our smallest dragonflies, with bodies less than an inch in length. 🙂
I think this is a gorgeous series of images. I think the rusty colour really accentuates that glowing amber hue of the dragonfly.
Oh wow.
Nice series Mike! My favorite is the 2nd one! Like the “rusty” look of the rebar with the Amberwing!
Love the perspective of the last photo.. magical!
It’s so tiny and “rustic” like the rebar!