Common Whitetail (male)

Many wonderful visitors to the garden today (a packing day before tomorrow’s long drive to Michigan)! But nearly all were repeat visitors:
» a hummingbird (unable to photograph yet)
» another hummingbird moth, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-25
» another Zebra Swallowtail, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-05-28
» another Great Spangled Fritillary, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-14
» another Spicebush Swallowtail, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-07-10
The newbie was a Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), a member of the “Skimmer” family of dragonflies (Libellulidae); http://bugguide.net/node/view/682633

Confirmed at BugGuide as Plathemis lydia or “Common Whitetail”; http://bugguide.net/node/view/682633

So although I had wonderful images of a Great Spangled Fritillary and a Spicebush Swallowtail, the newest subject photographed is a common whitetail dragonfly, one of only two species in the whitetail genus (Plathemis) in North America. This specimen has turned blue, indicating that it is a mature male.

Notes. 1/320", f/7.1 at 250 mm, ISO, 160.

A year ago (“Clare & Linda || Linda & Clare”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-07-31

[Beau]

Thom, Great capture. I just saw one of these the other day for the first time. Figured it was a type of dragonfly, but didn't know what type. Fascinating creature.

[Michelle]

Oh wow thats amazing Thom

[Thom Mitchell]

@losthorizon @michelleyoung Thanks! The males of this species are interesting. When they are young (whatever that means for the life of a dragonfly), the males look like the females. I have posted a female, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-08-08. But the males turn blue like this one has! I've been fortunate to find three different types of dragonflies in our garden this summer. So far. Maybe there will be more?

[Beau]

Their wings look like flags, or oars of an old viking ship. For some reason I don't get them in my harden, but I tons of them in my front lawn. Not one of them stays still long enough for a photo. Someday maybe I'll get to capture one.

[Thom Mitchell]

@losthorizon Oars of a Viking ship: yes! They do look like that! Don't lose heart yet. When I began seeing the larger ones (the Common Whitetails), they would fly around the garden for minutes and minutes without stopping. I didn't have the patience to out-wait them, but eventually, they stop and are photograph-able from a 2½–3 foot distance. Hang in there!

[Beau]

Thanks Thom. I guess I'll just have to tough it out, and wait for them to land. Appreciate the advice.

[MaryBeth Dailey]

I had never heard that "turn blue" thing. Interesting. I came here from your more current FEMALE pic you posted....and yes, some of us could almost moonlight as Entomologists at this point. Haha!