Earlier in the summer Needham’s Skimmers (Libellula needhami) were one of the most common dragonflies that I would encounter at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but over the past month their numbers have dropped significantly as their flight season draws to a close. I was therefore quite pleased to spot this mature female Needham’s Skimmer on Monday at the wildlife refuge.
The dragonfly’s colors seemed a bit faded, but otherwise she appeared to be in good shape. I am not sure if the stalk of vegetation on which she was perching was comfortable, but it helped me to isolate her from the background and its pointy protrusions add visual interest to the image.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a beautiful image. You have really captured the sheen and sparkle of the dragonfly. The body could almost be bronze and the wings glass. This feels like the perfect photo to convey the gradual change from Summer to Autumn.
Thanks, Laura. I love your descriptive, almost lyrical description of the dragonfly’s appearance. I totally agree with you about the change from Summer to Autumn. Summer has not completely loosened its grasp, but the weather is starting to cool off a bit and mercifully it has been a whole lot less humid this week that it was during most of July and August.
Yes, it is the drop in humidity that I have noticed most and am the most thankful for.