On 09 November 2017 I visited Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA, looking for late-season odonates before the first hard freeze. Several Autumn Meadowhawk dragonflies (Sympetrum vicinum) were spotted during a photowalk along Easy Road.
I revisited the same place one week later. I saw slightly fewer Autumn Meadowhawks than the week before. Although some dragonflies survived the freezing temperatures, their numbers seemed to be diminished according to my non-scientific survey.
Both individuals featured in this photo set are male, as indicated by their terminal appendages.
16 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)
I love the palette of fall colors in the first two photos! The two-photo sequence shows how I typically “work a shot.” I start by “getting a shot, any shot” (above) and slowly refine the shot until I am able to get as close as the subject will allow, while looking at the overall composition (below). Remember to check the edges of the photo for leading lines and distracting elements.
16 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)
The last dragonfly I photographed was perched on the wooden border of a flower bed located near the parking lot.
16 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)
16 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)
Related Resources: Five Guys; Thermal energy vampire!
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Autumn Meadowhawk dragonfly, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Sympetrum vicinum, terminal appendages
walter sanford's photoblog 
Leave a Reply