Feasting

taken:
day sixty five
08.24.2014

One evening while walking through the prairie area of my yard I spied this dragonfly feasting on a large long-legged type fly. This fly was not much smaller than the dragonfly itself. See, I told you, despite the darling and dainty persona dragonflies are known for, they are actually ravenous predators, with large appetites, always on the hunt for their next meal.

Snack

taken:
day forty eight
08.07.2014

Here's a tiny blue eyed damselfly. If you look closely you'll notice he's having a bit of a snack. No doubt a tasty little bug morsel.

What Is It?

taken:
day forty five
08.04.2014

What is it? A dragonfly, or a damselfly, or something completely different? Whatever it is, I love it's lustrous wings and it's iridescent eyes.

Brief Break

taken:
day twenty seven
07.17.2014

A little dragonfly taking a brief break on the tip of a lily bud.

Delicate Detail

taken:
day twenty five
07.15.2014

Another dragonfly, this one resting on a wild vine growing along my garden fence. Aren't dragonfly wings fascinating! I love the delicate detail and the way they catch and reflect light.

Irresistible

taken:
day twenty
07.10.2014

With the abundance of dragonflies this summer I've become a little obsessed with photographing them. When they are cooperative subjects in interesting lighting they are irresistible! This one sat perched on a hosta bud near some yellow flowers in the background which created a magical golden glow from behind. 

Among The Clover Blossoms

taken:
day nineteen
07.09.2014

Another dragonfly, this one I spotted among the clover blossoms at one of our favorite parks. It sat confident, letting me inch closer and closer with my camera. These common tan dragonflies are docile and usually don't get startled away easily. They make lovely little models!

Opalescent Eyes

taken:
day ten
06.30.2014

Ok I couldn't help it, here's another dragonfly. And I can't guarantee that it won't be the last anytime soon. This one had me captivated with it's beautiful opalescent eyes and it's black wasp-like tail. This is a type of dragonfly that I've never seen before. It rested on the leaf of a wild raspberry plant. I didn't want to get too close because I didn't want to scare it away. So I zoomed in on this guy. Some dragonflies are really tolerant of visitors others are very skittish and zip away at first sight of an intruder.

Basking

taken:
day nine
06.29.2014

Another dragonfly, this one basking in a sliver of sun that streamed through the tree branches over my shade garden. This guy let me get really close. He bobbled his head back and forth in true dragonfly style. I'm sure he was in search of his next tasty snack. I wonder what he thought of my gigantic camera lens a few inches from his face.

Summer Of The Dragonfly

taken:
day four
06.24.2014

This seems to be the summer of the dragonfly. They are EVERYWHERE! Each way I turn in my yard and gardens, there they are. So many of them! Some with glittering wings, others with large iridescent eyes. Here's a cute fuzzy brown one gripping onto an iris leaf.

I haven't heard the official reason why there are so many these days but my theory is that it's because of the obscene amount of mosquitos from all the rain this summer. The mosquitoes have been relentless! And I know that dragonflies are known to feast on mosquitoes. So eat up little dragonflies, eat up!

Perfectly Posed

taken:
day sixty five
08.24.2013

Another dragonfly.

As I wrote before, they're all a flutter these days.

This one perfectly posed for me as it perched and hunted.

Dashing

taken
day fifty nine
08.18.2013

Dragonflies are all a flutter these days. 

Dashing here and there. 

This one rested it's wing for a bit by perching on the curled leaf of a lily.

Teeter Tottering

taken:
day forty two
08.01.2013

On a nature walk with my boys and my mom we saw this dragonfly teeter tottering on some tall prairie grass. The dragonfly fought the wind, shifting back and forth, this way and that, using it's wings to keep balance, struggling to stay perched. Then it would take to flight for just a brief second, loop around and land right back on top of the tall prairie grass, hunting in the usual manner that dragonflies do.

Perched Atop

taken:
day thirty two
07.22.2013

I watched this dragonfly, perched atop a hosta stem, hunt for other insects. They're interesting creatures, if you ever get a chance to observe them. 

I guess dragonflies have quite the appetite, eating at times the equivalent of their own body weight in 30 minutes. Wow! 

They look so majestic and innocent don't they? But they're actually stalking predators that devour many other insects. That's fine with me though! Dragonflies can feast all they want on mosquitos and ants. Get rid of those annoying buggers!

Shiny Luminescent

taken:
day eleven
06.30.12

Along the shore of Lake Mille Lacs I spotted this vivid blue creature floating through the air. I watched as it flitted around then took a brief break as it landed on this stem. I believe it's a Bluet Damselfly. What I love about it, aside from it's pretty blue body, is it's shiny luminescent eyes. So cool! 

Meandering

taken:
day forty seven
08.06.2011

Following a fleeting afternoon downpour the clouds drifted and the sun came out again. Which meant it was the perfect time for me to grab my camera and meander outside. One of my favorite times to snap photos just so happens to be right after a rain shower as the sun shines, making the lingering droplets glisten.

We were out at my parent's place celebrating my dad's birthday. So I walked along my parent’s yard and as I did, I found this red dragonfly meandering among the grasses and raindrops.

Prairieland

taken:
day fourteen
07.04.2011

I have my very own prairie. Fitting since my favorite show as a girl was Little House on the Prairie. My prairie is a small patch of yard where we let nature take over with tall grasses and wildflowers. And this time of year it’s buzzing with activity. 

I was able to sneak up on this dragonfly resting on some tall grass in my prairie. It let me get really close and snap several photos before it zipped away.