A Halloween Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis eponina) was spotted during a photowalk at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (OBNWR), Prince William County, Virginia USA. This individual is a young male, as indicated by his yellowish-orange coloration, hamules, and terminal appendages.
Both photos in this gallery show the dragonfly perching at the top of Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides). Eastern gamagrass grows to a height of five- to six feet.
Look at the full-size version of the preceding photo. With its jaw open, the head of this pennant reminds me of the skull on a Jolly Roger flag. Argh, matey!
The last photo is my favorite in the set. The clarity, color palette and composition are perfect, he said not too modestly.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Celithemis eponina, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), Halloween Pennant dragonfly, hamules, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, terminal appendages, young male
July 25, 2017 at 5:14 am |
I love Halloween Pennants. Great shots.
July 25, 2017 at 8:44 pm |
Thanks, Mike! Look for them in the fields along the gravel trail to Painted Turtle Pond.
July 26, 2017 at 6:04 am |
Thanks for the tip, Walter. I, in fact, photographed some of them at that very location during one of my forays to Occoquan Bay.
January 1, 2018 at 4:02 am |
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