I was delighted to spot this cool-looking Brown Spiketail dragonfly (Cordulegaster bilineata) this past Wednesday at Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia. I was hoping to get a closer shot, but the dragonfly did not hang around very long before flying away.
Fortunately I was shooting with a relatively long lens—I was at the long end of my Tamron 18-400mm zoom lens—and was able to capture a good deal of detail of the dragonfly, including its stunning two-toned compound eyes. The dragonfly appeared to be barely hanging on to the vegetation when I took this shot, which may partially account for its swift departure.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
This is a great moment you captured. Seems really busy as a human… Do you know, I always afraid all kind of them, bugs, flys, etc. And sometimes I asks myself how he can take their pictures… But yes, I should say, in your beautiful photographs you put something special about their existence and life. Thank you, Love, nia
Nice find and photograph, Mike!
Thanks, Wally. I was happy to spot this dragonfly and had to react quickly (and focus manually) so I was thrilled when a shot came out this well.