There were several Common Green Darner dragonflies (Anax junius) flying overhead on 10 October at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. One of them landed and perched momentarily low in the vegetation and I was able to capture this image.
I have been seeing fewer and fewer dragonflies on the ground as we move deeper and deeper into October, but in the air I have been seeing quite a few Common Green Darners, Black Saddlebags, and Wandering Gliders, the dragonfly species that migrate through our area. Many of the members of the surviving summer species appear to be faded and tattered, but the migrants appear to be bright and pristine.
The tangled grasses and vegetation where the dragonfly was perched were dried out and mostly void of color, which helps the green of the dragonfly’s thorax to really stand out in the photo. I also like the way that I was able to capture the transparency and details of the dragonfly’s wings.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
This is a really lovely image. I agree that the lovely green of the dragonfly becomes more emphatic because of its contrast with the paler neutrals of the background. I also like the way the long abdomen creates a contrasting angle with the twig perch and I like the juxtaposition of the delicacy of the wings and the smooth sheen of the abdomen against the rough visual texture of the twig and the scrubby foliage in the background.
Once again, Laura, your keen eye and artist’s sensitivity to the details of lines, colors, and texture impress me. The beauty of your prose brought a smile to my face and made me look at the image with new appreciation–it is wonderful to be able to see one of my own images through someone else’s eyes.
I am glad if my comments can contribute something to the conversation.