In my experience, female Needham’s Skimmer dragonflies (Libellula needhami) seem to be more abundant than males toward the end of the adult flight period for that species.
Two Needham’s Skimmers were photographed during photowalks at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA. Both individuals are mature female, as indicated by their terminal appendages and muted coloration.
30 AUG 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Needham’s Skimmer (mature female)
Post Update: Sincere thanks to Drew Chaney for identifying the flowering plant shown in the preceding photo. According to Drew, “It’s either Clematis terniflora or virginiana. I can’t tell without leaves: Terniflora has entire leaves; virginiana has toothed ones.”
10 SEP 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Needham’s Skimmer (mature female)
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), Libellula needhami, mature female, Needham's Skimmer dragonfly, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, terminal appendages
September 25, 2017 at 9:47 pm |
Incredible! Amazing shots – great job!
– Rafia Tasneem
September 26, 2017 at 7:59 am |
Thanks for the kind words!