Dragonflies in flight

July 21, 2023 by Mike Powell

Yesterday I visited Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge and spent a lot of my time there trying to get shots of dragonflies in flight. The dragonflies were not very cooperative and kept their distance most of the time, but eventually I managed to get a few decent shots. What was especially cool was that I captured images of dragonflies from three different families—Skimmer, Darner, and Emerald.

The first photo shows a Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata), a Skimmer, as he was flying toward me. Banded Pennants are pretty small at about 1.3 inches (33 mm) in length, so I was pretty thrilled to capture this shot as he was flying toward me. This was actually the first time that I had seen a Banded Skimmer this season.

The second photo shows a Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha). Despite the fact that I took the shot from a long distance away, you can still see the prominent “nose” that is supposedly reminiscent of the long nose of literary character Cyrano de Bergerac.

The last two photos show Prince Baskettails (Epitheca cynosura) that are members of the Emerald family. Prince Baskettails, which are about 2.9 inches (74 mm) are quite easy to identify, because they are the only large dragonfly in our area with patterned wings. I had more opportunities with this species that with the others, because several Prince Baskettails were flying repetitive patrols only various parts of the pond and passed by me multiple times. Although it is a little easier to focus on a dragonfly in flight when the background is clear, I think it is even cooler when I manage to include reflections in the water in a photo, as was the case with the reflections of the branches in the final photo.

Posted in Dragonflies, dragonfly, Insects, Nature, Photography, Summer, wildlife | Tagged Banded Pennant, Banded Pennant dragonfly, Canon 7D, Celithemis fasciata, Cyrano Darner, Cyrano Darner dragonfly, dragonflies in flight, Epitheca cynosura, Fort Belvoir VA, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Nasiaeschna pentacantha, Prince Baskettail, Prince Baskettail dragonfly, Tamron 18-400mm | 15 Comments

15 Responses

on July 21, 2023 at 8:16 am | Reply Vikash - kashivology

I must admit, for the longest time, dragonflies have triggered a rather serious aversion within me. However, upon stumbling across the captivating images of this particular one, I find myself pleasantly surprised by the excitement it now stirs within me. The photography truly does justice to the dragonfly’s allure, showcasing its mesmerizing beauty and intriguing characteristics. It’s amazing how a simple shift in perspective can unveil a whole new appreciation for these enchanting creatures!
- on July 21, 2023 at 9:23 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much for sharing your personal thoughts about dragonflies and about your perceptions. As you probably can tell, dragonflies are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. There is something almost magical about them and I do my best to showcase their beauty and acrobatic skills (and occasionally their predatory side too).
  - on July 21, 2023 at 9:34 am Vikash - kashivology
    
    Absolutely, dragonflies indeed possess a magical allure with their captivating flight and intricate wing patterns. Witnessing their precision and agility during hunting would undoubtedly showcase another captivating aspect of these remarkable creature.
on July 21, 2023 at 9:19 am | Reply Michael Sammut

Wow. Surrealistic shot! 👏👏👏
- on July 21, 2023 at 9:24 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Michael. Sometimes it seems like the dragonflies are flying about in the clouds. 🙂
  - on July 21, 2023 at 9:35 am Michael Sammut
    
    They are incredibly agile fliers!
on July 21, 2023 at 10:29 am | Reply K.L. Hale

In all the pictures I’ve seen here, these are in my top favorite (and Bald Eagle captures). “In flight”…what beautiful images, Mike. When they first appeared in “reader” I felt…hope!
- on July 21, 2023 at 5:31 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. Shots like these ones of the dragonflies in flight may not necessarily be my best photos, but they mean a lot to me, because I know how hard I worked to get them. I tend to be an opportunistic photographer and walk around a lot, reacting to what I see. With these kinds of shots, though, I have to be really patient and persistent, which kind of plays to my strengths. A lot of people would get frustrated and give up, but I am willing to persist. I saw a bald eagle and should be posting a photo or two soon. 🙂
  - on July 22, 2023 at 2:22 pm K.L. Hale
    
    You’re very welcome! And I think they’re marvelous! Your patience and persistence paid off! I look forward to the bald eagle!
on July 21, 2023 at 2:24 pm | Reply picpholio

Wow nice ! I like the fist shot the most.
- on July 21, 2023 at 5:27 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  That first image is the definitely the shot with the most impact. The other two shots are more or less just record shots. 🙂
on July 21, 2023 at 4:31 pm | Reply Tra Italia e Finlandia

Well captured!
- on July 21, 2023 at 5:27 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on July 21, 2023 at 9:10 pm | Reply jmankowsky

Holy Moly. Beautiful flight photos. I struggle to get pics when they are still sometimes! 😉
- on July 22, 2023 at 9:06 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  The “secret” to getting good photos, in my experience, is a combination of patience, persistence, and practice (with a healthy dose of luck too). 🙂