Calico Pennant dragonflies (Celithemis elisa) often remind me of pole vaulters. They hold on to a long, narrow “pole” at the very end and flex it, as though they were trying to propel themselves over a bar. I spotted this handsome male Calico Pennant last Saturday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, one of the few local spots where I encounter this spectacular species.
This will probably be my last blog posting this week. I will be driving from Virginia to Massachusetts later today to deal with some family issues and will return home this coming weekend, when I hope to resume my habit of posting nature and wildlife photos almost daily.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
He does look like he’s heading up an over…
He looks like he’s ready to take off! Just as you. Be safe, Mike. Sending good wishes and prayers.
Thanks so much for your prayers. I am now safely back from my trip and things went pretty well. Part of the trip involved closing on the sale of my deceased parents’ house in Maine where there was a fire earlier this year. I was fortunate that I got to spend some time with a couple of my siblings in Massachusetts, with whom I stayed.
It’s my pleasure, Mike. I’m glad you are home. I’m so sorry for your loss and the residual outcomes that needed attention~and glad to hear it went well. I’ve never been to Maine. It’s been on my list. And how wonderful to see siblings in Massachusetts. The NE is the only area I haven’t traveled. I’m having a life-changing surgery the end of October. The National Cancer Institute accepted me~the Top Chief Surgeon of Oncology took my special and severe cancer case! It’s a dream, Mike! I guess I’ll travel to a new state, even if for this reason! Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! I’ll visit a nearby trail and hope to capture some beauty in my area nature as I bet you will too!
Love it!
Thanks.
Very nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing it!