I don't usually encounter this species much as it likes salt or brackish marshes and edges and we are not very close to that type of habitat. If you find this species late in the season it is pretty boring being a blackish blue and they stay close to the ground. It was just dumb luck we found these as I'd been on this beach a few times and never seen them.
Above mostly mature female.
Above female still has the thorax stripes, though starting to darken up.
The above female has a brown ting on the wings I believe that will disappear eventually.
Above the youngest of the Seaside Dragonlet females, very lovely at this stage in her life.
Above is a mature male Seaside Dragonlet. Just dark blue that is it.
This male has not quite darkened up all the way yet.
These photos showing how much dragonflies can be so different are a large part of why I enjoy observing and photographing them. More from Croatan National Forest on the next post.
WOW! I'm not sure how I found you but I'm glad I did. I've just looked through some of your previous posts and they really are amazing, your photos are beautiful, what a wonderful array of insects you have 'captured'.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Randy. Makes me wonder how many species of dragonflies we have here on the farm.
ReplyDeleteNice! Like the dark blue ones. I really need to look more closely at the ones who fly around my house.
ReplyDeleteI am rather fond of dragonflies, just wish we had some in our garden.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots, Randy, but how do you exactly differentiate between flies and lets?
ReplyDeleteSorry to be a dumbo :D
Chandramouli,
ReplyDeleteDragonlets are still dragonflies they have the common name dragonlet, most are on the small side. We have two of them the Little Blue Dragonlet and Seaside Dragonlet, to our south there are more species of them.
Such wonderful photographs Randy....and your commentary is simple but so imformative.....
ReplyDeleteThey are stunning creatures.....I love the changes.....
Randy, your pictures always fascinate me! Not many dragonflies here.
ReplyDeleteRandy, it's me again. I have something on my blog for you. I know some people (including me) don't like such things, but this is a reality of blogging. Do whatever you want, just know that I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteWow! Your butterfly photos and flower photos are amazing. Love all of your insects. Great to hear from another Cincinnatian, even if you've moved away. I've been trying to learn more about dragonflies and damselflies--your site will really help me!
ReplyDeleteI narrowly missed stinging ants on Pinckney Island. A guy about 10 feet away from me stepped in some and alerted me to their presence. Sorry they found you!
Much as I enjoy going through your photographs, the information you have about the subject concerned, is amazing. I agree that yellow is the most beautiful stage of this dtagonlet.
ReplyDeleteFantastic looking selection of Dragonflies,loved every Image.
ReplyDeleteThe yellow is outstanding,excellent.
John.
I'm going to have to pay more attention to those dragonflies when I'm outdoors, aren't I? I'd no idea there were so many varieties until I visited your site! By the way, is it okay that I used some of your photos as models in a painting I just finished for our nature center? I think I used 4 of them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know Blue-eyed grass is native in the East... so aren't you fortunate?? :-)