Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonflies

“Target(s) acquired. Shots fired!” That’s my generic field report after a successful odonate hunting excursion. Usually I have an idea of the target species I hope to see every time I go photowalking. Shadow Darner dragonfly, Great Spreadwing damselfly, and Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly were the target species for a recent trip to a favorite hotspot where all three types of odonates can be found.

Several Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonflies (Sympetrum ambiguum) were spotted near a vernal pool at a remote location in Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

03 OCT 2017 | Huntley Meadows Park | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (male)

Both individuals featured in this blog post are male, as indicated by their terminal appendages and turquoise-colored faces.

03 OCT 2017 | Huntley Meadows Park | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (male)

Blue-faced Meadowhawk is classified as a fall species of odonate. In the mid-Atlantic United States, meadowhawks seem to disappear for several months after they emerge during early summer and reappear during fall. Where do they go? No one knows for sure. I speculate Blue-faced Meadowhawk is an arboreal species of dragonfly that returns to the ground/water when it’s time to mate.

Consistent with my speculation, Blue-faced Meadowhawk seems to prefer habitats where standing water is found near the forest, such as the small vernal pool located at a clearing in the forest at Huntley Meadows Park. Be on the lookout for Blue-faced Meadowhawk everywhere you find similar habitat.

Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Tags: arboreal, Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), Huntley Meadows Park, male, Sympetrum ambiguum, terminal appendages, vernal pool