Do you believe in unicorns? I am always delighted when I manage to spot a Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes), a beautiful dragonfly species in which both sexes have a small hornlike projection between their eyes that gives rise to their common name—you can’t really see the “horn” in these photos, so you’ll have to take my word on it. I spotted the dragonfly in this posting while exploring a small pond in Fairfax County, where I live.
It is fairly easy to identify this species, because of the rusty-edged club at the bottom portion of the dragonfly’s abdomen and its very visible bright tip. Male Unicorn Clubtails tend to fly short patrols and perch quite often on low vegetation. It is not hard to spot them if I am in the appropriate environment, which is usually a pond or marsh, unlike most other clubtail dragonflies that prefer rivers and streams.
Chasing unicorns and dragons? That is how I enjoy spending my time in the wild.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Love the one with the round leaves.
Another beautiful image, Mike.
Thanks. During the warm months, dragonflies are my favorite subject to photograph and I love chasing them about trying to get shots of them.
I want out looking for some yesterday afternoon. I need to learn where to find them in my area.
Great pic, Mike.