In some species of dragonflies, the males change color as they mature. Two of these species have been present in our yard recently.
Both sexes of the hudsonian whiteface and the calico pennant are yellow when they are newly emerged. Over the ensuing week or two the males become red. This process seems to occur from “head-to-toe”. Thus, you can sometimes find individuals (such as those in the first two photographs below) with orange spots on their abdomens.
The third photo in this series shows a behavior involved in thermoregulation called “obelisking”. On hot sunny days, some dragonflies will orient themselves, while perched, to minimize their exposure to the sun. Often this involves “standing straight up” rather than “laying out flat”.
The last photo in this series is of a relatively rare (at least in our neighborhood) species, the racket-tailed emerald. This individual is immature since its eyes are brown. When it is fully mature it will have the bright green eyes characteristic of emeralds.
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Racket-tailed Emeralds are hard to find Frank. Amazing you got this picture of one.
K
Comment by Kevin — 27 June 2015 @ 6:59 PM
I like the angle the last ode gave you. The details in the wings came though on the green leaves. Great sharpness throughout it.
Comment by Joe Kennedy — 28 June 2015 @ 8:00 AM