The season has ended for many dragonflies—many of the species that were present a month ago are now gone. From time to time, though, I will see a few strong survivors who are hanging on, like this female Needham’s Skimmer (Libellula needhami) that I spotted last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Though her wings are almost completely shredded, she still manage to fly, when necessary.
She somehow seemed to be content to turn to the light and enjoy the warmth of the sunlight, determined to enjoy life’s simple pleasures in her remaining days.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
A living being worth emulating, IMO.
I totally agree (and that was on my mind when I was writing this posting). 🙂
Very nice Mike! It is amazing to see how much damage they can take and still be able to fly! Seems like they have a hard life towards the end!
Thanks, Reed. The butterflies and dragonflies at this time of the year really show a lot of wear and tear. I am sure that it is difficult for them and I suspect that makes them vulnerable to predators, but somehow they manage to adapt and survive, if only for a short while longer.
Lovely photo and sentiment, Mike.
Thanks, Jet. I got caught up in watching the activities surrounding Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and somehow was thinking about aging and mortality when I wrote this posting. The tone and sometimes the content of my postings are frequently a direct reflection of what is going on in my head and/or my heart at the moment I compose them.