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| Widow Skimmer, male |
When you're a photographer looking for sheer eye-stopping color, dragonflies and damselflies will easily rival anything in nature. Even the most impressive panoply of birds or butterflies can't out-dazzle these large flying insects. By last count, Ohio has some 164 species of Odonata. For the past few weeks I've been fiddling around trying to capture images of a few—mostly while skulking about a pond and meadow just up the road. I thought you might enjoy seeing a handful of my favorite shots.
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| Eastern Pondhawk, female |
I'm no expert when it comes to identifying these lovely creatures. Quite honestly, I'm not even a semi-competent amateur. Nor do I (yet!) have a good field guide to help me fumble along. The best i.d. resource I possess is Dragonflies of Ohio, a PDF publication from the Ohio's Division of Wildlife. That said, I'm pretty confident for the identifications given…though if I'm wrong, please don't hesitate to say so. The identity of two of the dragonflies pictured remains a vexing mystery—despite my best efforts to figure them out. If perchance you know what they are, I'd really appreciate the help.
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| Calico Pennant, male |
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| Eastern Pondhawk, male |
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| Halloween Pennant, female |
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| Unknown (found in deep shade away from water) |
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| Widow Skimmer, male |
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| Eastern Amberwing, male |
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| Eastern Pondhawk, female |
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| Unknown (perched on stick floating in pond) |
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| Halloween Pennant, male |
