Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (young male)

The following gallery shows a Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula pulchella) spotted along the boardwalk that goes through the central wetland area at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual is a young male, as indicated by its distinctive pattern of wing spots, incomplete pruinescence, and the terminal appendages at the end of its abdomen. Notice that the Twelve-spotted Skimmer perches on four of six legs, with the two front legs curled around its head.

Copyright © 2013 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Blue Dasher versus Twelve-spotted Skimmer

The following photo features two dragonflies: a Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), shown lower-left; and a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), shown upper-right. Both dragonflies are males. Photo forensics reveals the action sequence: The smaller Blue Dasher, already fully in motion, encroached upon the larger Twelve-spotted Skimmer’s territory and caused the Twelve-spotted Skimmer to take flight in defense of its perch.

[Male Blue Dashers are] fiercely aggressive to other skimmers with blue pruinosity.” Source: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Location 10847). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

The Blue Dasher’s abdomen is bowed upward, probably showing aggression toward the other dragonfly.

Tech Tips: The photo was shot using an aperture of f/5.6 and a shutter speed of 1/200 second. Although the shutter speed was too slow to stop the motion of the dragonflies completely, it was perfect for conveying dynamic tension in the scene. BorderFX, a free plug-in for Apple Aperture, was used to add a text watermark to the photo.

Copyright © 2013 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. www.wsanford.com

Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (male)

A Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula pulchella) spotted along the boardwalk that goes through the central wetland area at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual is a male, as indicated by its distinctive pattern of wing spots and the terminal appendages at the end of its abdomen. Notice that the Twelve-spotted Skimmer perches on four of six legs, with the two front legs curled around its head.

Copyright © 2012 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved. www.wsanford.com