As I watched television coverage of the Olympic Games in Paris, I could not help but notice the numerous handstands in almost all of the gymnastic events for the men. There were handstands on the floor, on the rings, on the parallel bars, the high bar, and even on the pommel horse.
When I spotted this male Blue Dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) doing a handstand last Thursday at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, I immediately thought of those Olympic gymnasts.
This position is sometimes referred to as the “obelisk” pose for dragonflies. Many scientists believe that it is used as a form of thermoregulation to keep the body cooler by reducing the amount of surface exposure to direct sunlight. Several other dragonfly species use this pose, but I observe it most often with the male Blue Dasher dragonflies.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful shot, Mike. I’m sure that I will think of this connection the next time I come across a blue dasher. ☺️
Thanks. My mind sometimes makes odd connections, but this one is understandable to others, I think. 🙂
A gold medal all around–the dragonfly and you, for this capture, Mike! Amazing!
Thanks. It’s fun to let my imagination run a little wild when I try to describe what I was thinking or feeling when capturing photos of wildlife subjects (or when reviewing them afterwards). 🙂
You’re welcome ☺️! That’s wonderful! I get it!
Ooo, very acrobatic!