The following photos show a Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly (Sympetrum ambiguum) spotted along the boardwalk that goes through Huntley Meadows Park, near the edge of a wooded area. This individual is a male, as indicated by its red coloration and by the reddish “claspers” (terminal appendages) at the end of its abdomen.
Males perch low around edge of shallow pools or dried-up ponds, often inconspicuous. Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 10469-10470). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
Notice how well-camouflaged the dragonfly is in the photo shown below.
Special thanks to Louisa, my good friend and photowalking buddy, who actually spotted the dragonfly. Good eye, Louisa — “TeacherMan” thinks you earned an “A+” for the day!
Editor’s Note: According to Kevin Munroe, Park Manager at Huntley Meadows Park …
I think [12 October 2012] may be a new late season record in Northern Virginia for that species — I’ll check my records and let you know. … Your sighting is indeed a late season record for Northern Virginia — my previous late date was October 10.
Copyright © 2012 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. www.wsanford.com
Tags: Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly, Huntley Meadows Park, male, Sympetrum ambiguum
February 2, 2015 at 3:02 pm |
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