Dragonflies of June 2019

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Back in June, while sitting on the patio and enjoying a coffee and with my camera at my side, something big flew by and landed on a shrub across from me . . .

That’s zoomed in, but from where I was I couldn’t tell what it was because I’d never seen one that large.

I should have put something near it for scale . . . but since I didn’t, let me tell you: the wingspan was around four inches (a shade over ten centimeters). The body, from head to tail, about three inches. 

I took a lot of photos because I was incredulous of what I was seeing. For one thing, I wanted to have some record of it so I snapped photos as I got closer . . .

. . . because I feared it would fly away. Also, I wanted different angles and zooms.

I needn’t have worried. This dragonfly sat there for well over an hour.

I’m going to provide a number of close-ups — you’ll get a larger version of the photo open in a new tab or window by clicking on it — but if you want more detail, go to SmugMug and choose the “Original” size.

After I was sure I had lots of photos, I got in its face . . . and a big face it was.

A good thing, too, because I could see more detail than I did  with “regular sized” dragonflies . . . and I noticed something; it’s mouth parts were constantly moving. It brought to mind the behavior of ruminants.

This clip sucks because I got to close and lost the focus for a bit, but it gives you an idea of what I mean:

Hey, I forgot . . . THIS link gives you some information on Dragonflies. And THIS post has more facts and some nifty videos (better than my video).

Since most people won’t click on the links, here’s one of the videos.

While dragonflies are fun to watch, much like butterflies they’re not exactly attractive up-close.

It kind of looks like Dr. Frankenstein attached the wings as an afterthought. Plus, they’re a bit on the hirsute side . . . there be lots of hair. Of course, it could be because this is an older specimen. Perhaps dragonflies are a bit like older humans; their bodies lose control of hair growth and the stuff pops up pretty much at random . . . except on baldspots.

I had to go do some chores but when I came back out, it was still there . . .

By then, the patio was getting a bit warm in the afternoon sun . . . so I went to the front of the house. There, more dragonflies but much smaller.

It’s difficult telling if it’s the same one following me around or if these were different specimen.

Here, look at this rock while I examine the photos to determine if they are, in fact, one narcisistic dragonfly that’s starving for exposure.

Hard to tell but these next photos, I’m pretty sure, are of the same dragonfly striking different poses.

I know, I know . . . too many photos. To be fair, that’s also me trying different processing for different photos. It might not seem like it but gossimer wings are difficult to showcase.

What’s that, you say? You don’t mind near-duplicates? Well, shoot! Here you go, then.

Truthfully, this is also me not capable of picking which is the better photo . . . so I’ll let readers — readers who have not left yet — decide for themselves.

But, just to break things up . . . a flower sans-dragonfly.

. . . and a very tiny fly that would likely be a nice morsel for a dragonfly . . .

There are a number of different species of dragonflies inhabiting my yard (and very welcome they are as they eat mosquitos and other annoying stuff). One has a blue body and I’ve not been able to get a decent photo because it doesn’t stand still much.

This next one, however, posed for me . . .

I included the second shot because I wanted to showcase the wings. They’re jewel-like, ain’t them?

Just then, the ham of the dragonfly world showed up . . .

More fine detail . . . and another hirusite specimen. Perhaps they’re all hairy.

I included this shot because it shows a fair amount of the details and texture of the eyes. As far as I can tell, it turned it’s head to look at me . . . or, it was seeing its reflection on the lens.

I like how they cantilever on their perches. It seems like they should topple.

This next guy (or gal) seemed aware of how to properly distribute its mass; no cantilevering there.

Or, he was mooning me.

Here’s a closeup of those eyes . . .

. . . and hair; lots of hair.

I don’t know what was his (or her) deal with this pose, but I got the distinct impression I was beeing mooned.

Of course! Farts!

The little devil was aiming farts at me.

Let’s see that again . . .

Oh, yeah; definitively a farting pose.

Here are a few more poses closing out the post (it’s late and I have snacks to eat before I sleep) . . . I know some look like the same photo but they are (in fact) different photos with slightly different treatments.

 

I’m hoping these guys will do a good job of taking care of mosquitos (and other pests) around here.

Here’s a gallery of the above presented in random order.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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