Many Eastern Ringtail dragonflies (Erpetogomphus designatus) were spotted along the Potomac River at Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. All of the individuals in this gallery are male, as indicated by their terminal appendages and “indented” hind wings.
Please look at the full-size version of each photo in order to appreciate the coloration of these handsome male dragonflies.
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Eastern Ringtail dragonfly, Erpetogomphus designatus, Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), male, Potomac River, Riverbend Park, terminal appendages
July 17, 2017 at 7:31 am |
Quite handsome males indeed–it’s great that you were able to get shots from so many different angles, Walter. Were the dragonflies tolerant of your presence or were you just amazingly persistent (or both)?
July 17, 2017 at 6:39 pm |
In my experience, Eastern Ringtail dragonflies aren’t very skittish. I was able to get within two- to three feet of most individuals by approaching them SLOWLY. I can’t recall, but I think every photo in this set is uncropped, or at least almost every photo, and the subject fills the frame — that gives you a good idea of how close I was to the dragons. All of my photos of Eastern Ringtail were taken during early August last year, so you should GO SEE THEM before they’re gone.