A single Swift Setwing dragonfly (Dythemis velox) was spotted during a photowalk around Mulligan Pond at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR), Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal appendages.

18 SEP 2017 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)
The preceding photograph is the “scene setter” for this gallery. I like to get as close as possible to the subject, and this guy was an extraordinarily cooperative model.

18 SEP 2017 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

18 SEP 2017 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

18 SEP 2017 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

18 SEP 2017 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

18 SEP 2017 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Dythemis velox, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, male, Swift Setwing dragonfly, terminal appendages
September 23, 2017 at 7:01 am |
Wonderful shots, Walter. Swift Setwings often are really skittish, so it was great that you were able to find one that was so cooperative.
September 23, 2017 at 10:20 am |
The dragonfly was perching on the vegetation along the outer edge of the trail around Mulligan Pond, FAR from the water. Why? Who knows? There are at least two possible explanations for why the dragonfly was so cooperative. 1. The sky was completely overcast all day. 2. It’s near the end of the flight season for Swift Setwing, and this guy may have been too tired to waste energy being skittish.
January 1, 2018 at 4:02 am |
[…] 18 SEP 2017 | Jackson Miles Abbott WR | Swift Setwing (male) […]