Perching dragonflies

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Perching dragonflies

July 17, 2022 by Mike Powell

Dragonflies perch in many different ways and in many different places. Here are some simple shots of three dragonflies that I encountered last Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The first one is a Needham’s Skimmer (Libellula needhami) and I love the way that its coloration contrasts so well with the sea of green vegetation in which it is perched. The dragonfly in the second photo, my personal favorite of the three images, is a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis). When it’s hot outside, some dragonflies, like this one, like to assume a handstand-like pose, often called the “obelisk” position, to reduce their exposure to the direct sunlight. The final photo shows a Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) perched on the tip of a leaf.

Each of these shots represents my efforts to isolate a dragonfly a bit from its surroundings and to highlight its beauty and its behavior. None of theme is spectacular or award-worthy, but they are pleasing little portraits of some of my summer companions.

Posted in Dragonflies, dragonfly, Insects, Nature, Photography, Portraits, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Blue Dasher, Canon 7D, Great Blue Skimmer, Libellula needhami, Libellula vibrans, Needham's Skimmer, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Pachydiplax longipennis, Tamron 18-400mm, Woodbridge VA | 13 Comments

13 Responses

on July 17, 2022 at 6:23 am | Reply Ann

I had no idea how how beautiful and unique dragonflies are until I started viewing your blog. I’m a convert! Thank you!
- on July 18, 2022 at 7:49 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  What a sweet thing to say, Ann. I was an early convert to dragonflies. I remember being in awe of the photos one of my friends had taken of dragonflies and thought how much I wanted to be able to take photos like hers. 🙂
on July 17, 2022 at 6:47 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

Gorgeous
- on July 18, 2022 at 7:47 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Tricia.
on July 17, 2022 at 7:54 am | Reply K.L. Hale

A dragonfly handstand! My favorite, too!
- on July 18, 2022 at 7:47 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I’d love to be able to do a handstand, but suspect that my days of potentially being able to do so are past. 🙂
  - on July 19, 2022 at 7:02 am K.L. Hale
    
    😊
on July 17, 2022 at 1:09 pm | Reply Dan Antion

I love that center photo, Mike!
- on July 18, 2022 at 7:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. I think that most people would agree that is the cream of the crop. It was a little unusual to get that shot because the dragonfly was perched pretty high and I was shooting upwards to capture the image.
on July 17, 2022 at 3:30 pm | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice series of dragonfly images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them!

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
- on July 18, 2022 at 7:45 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Reed.
on July 22, 2022 at 4:28 pm | Reply Ellen Jennings

Excellent trio, Mike. I think the Needham’s is my favorite–the angle of the grass blades along with the contrast makes a nice scene.

The obelisking Blue Dasher is a close second; my first impression was the vegetation was a hand holding the dragonfly up. In addition to the angle and subject, the overall composition is pleasing.

Not to leave the final image out, the composition with that interesting leaf makes this Great Blue Skimmer special.
- on July 22, 2022 at 8:50 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ellen. I love your feedback on each photo. There are things about each photo that I like–I tend to post photos that I like and hope that others will too.