The weather in my area this month has been mostly miserable. It has been hot and humid and we have had almost daily thunderstorms, resulting in a significant amount of localized flooding.
Some of the dragonflies in our are are also showing signs of the stresses of summer, like this male Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) that I spotted during a recent visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The photo below shows a substantial amount of damage to the wings of this dragonfly. I can’t tell if the damage was caused by a predator or if it is part of the normal wear-and-tear associated with life as a dragonfly.
I hope to get out a bit more often with my camera during the second half of July, perhaps starting out a bit earlier in the morning before things heat up to miserable levels.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Yep, that one looks frazzled indeed. We to have had awful weather conditions. the humidity drives us indoors, soaking wet and gasping for a breath of air. Be careful out there Mr. Photographer!
Yikes. Substantial is an understatement. Thank you for documenting these changes happening in nature. Very important.
Jewel like colours, beautiful.
Beautiful picture 💯
Thanks so much for your kind comment.