Odonart©

I’m a man of many monikers: sometimes I refer to myself as “Yodonata©” when I’m wearing my teacher hat; other times, I like to think of myself as an “odonartist©,” always on the lookout for somewhat elusive “arty” shots of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies). Today, I’m wearing both my teacher hat and artist hat, although I just can’t see myself wearing a beret!

[Reluctantly donning my beret…] I have photographed many Great Blue Skimmer dragonflies (Libellula vibrans) but I like the crisp, clean, and simple look of this image more than shots with a cluttered background. Very “arty.”

17 JUN 2015 | HMP | Great Blue Skimmer (mature male)

[Swapping hats…] This individual is a mature male that has mated many times, as indicated by his coloration, terminal appendages, and scratches on the abdomen.

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.

Copyright © 2015 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Tags: Great Blue Skimmer dragonfly, Huntley Meadows Park, Libellula vibrans, mature male, Odonart, pruinescence, Skimmer Family, terminal appendages, vernal pool, wildlife photography