When the calendar turns over to October, I never know which dragonflies I will encounter. Many of them have disappeared, but some hardy survivors are still around. The weather was warm last week, with several days in the 80’s (27 degrees C), but this week, high temperatures are predicted to be in the low to mid 60’s (17 degrees C) with nighttime temperatures dipping to the upper 40’s (9 degrees C)—this cool weather is less than optimal for most dragonflies.
I was thrilled last Tuesday to spot this Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula pulchella) at the edge of a small pond at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I was especially pleased to be able to capture the beautiful patterns on this dragonfly’s wings as it perched in the reeds.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Love those black and white spots no matter how they are counted. Beautiful shot Mike !
Wow, we don’t have similar dragonflies here in Belgium.
Great shot. Love those wings!
Thanks. The patterns on the wings of this species are amazing, especially those of the males, which have both white and brown spots on each wing.
Thanks.