A Spangled Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula cyanea) was spotted along Beaver Pond Loop Trail at Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge (ABWR).

20 MAY 2016 | ABWR | Spangled Skimmer (teneral male)
This individual is a teneral male, as indicated by its coloration and terminal appendages. As a mature male, his eyes will be dark bluish-black and blue pruinescence will cover its body (thorax and abdomen).

20 MAY 2016 | ABWR | Spangled Skimmer (teneral male)
Tech Tips:
The first photo of the dragonfly was taken by looking through a “keyhole” in a thicket of vegetation. Two camera settings are critical for enabling this type of shot: Autofocus Mode (one-area-focusing, using center focus point); and Metering Mode (Spot).
Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Libellula cyanea, male, pruinescence, Skimmer Family, Spangled Skimmer dragonfly, teneral, terminal appendages, wildlife photography
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