Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

Not to overdo the butterflies and give the dragonflies their due. This is a mature male Common Whitetail.

From BugGuide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/603#id »
• "Male and female Common Whitetails have different wing patterns.
• "Immature males have the same body pattern as females but the same wing pattern as mature males.
• "'Tween' males have abdomens that are beginning to turn blue, but the adolescent body pattern still shows through the blue.
• "Mature males have a short, stout abdomen that is completely chalky blue-white covering the adolescent pattern."
Compare to a female, http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2016-05-29

Species page at BugGuide, http://bugguide.net/node/view/603

1 year ago (“Blue Dasher (male)”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-08-07
2 years ago (“Silver-spotted Skipper”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-08-07
3 years ago (“Another August abstract”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-08-07
4 years ago (“I’m gorgeous!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-08-07
5 years ago (“Anyone remember ‘Commander Keen’?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-08-07

[ IMG_2051S12x8Atm :: f/5.6 :: 1/250" :: ISO-200 :: 250mm ]

[Taffy]

Sooo interesting! Never seen one with those little flags on the wings.

[Danette Thompson]

So interesting!

[Lisa Pouncy]

Fabulous colours. I've never seen one of these dragonflies before xx