The preceding photographs show a Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula vibrans) spotted along “Great Blue Heron Trail” during a photowalk at Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a mature male (as indicated by its coloration, terminal appendages, and tattered wings) that has mated many times.
Males that have mated often have marks on their abdomen where the female legs have scratched them. This is especially obvious in species in which males develop pruinosity, as the pruinosity on the midabdomen is scratched off, and the signs are visible at some distance. Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 390-392). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.
Great Blue Skimmers are one of many types of dragonflies that perch with their front legs tucked behind their eyes/head.
Copyright © 2014 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly, Libellula vibrans, mature male, pruinescence
walter sanford's photoblog 
February 18, 2014 at 10:37 am |
You must be the dragonfly whisperer to constantly get such pictures. They’re one of my favorite things too