“Another bug for the blog?”
That’s what Don asked me yesterday morning as he happened upon me having a conversation with this very handsome dragonfly.
From 21facts.com:
One of the most distinguishing features of dragonflies are their eyes. They have large, compound eyes with many facets or sides. Because of their large, multifaceted eyes, the adult dragonfly can see nearly 360 degrees around it at all times.
The front wings of the dragonfly are slightly longer than the rear wings. This helps with both speed and maneuverability.
As far as insects go, dragonflies are among the fastest. Some of the faster species can fly upward of 30 miles per hour. Their four wings also allow them to move sideways, backward, to hover in place, etc. And they can do all of these movements quickly and accurately, which makes them well suited to eat other insects right out of the air.
Morning Bray Farm 
October 4, 2010 at 3:48 am
Sounds like nature’s little helicopter. Great shots!
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October 4, 2010 at 4:56 am
OH, lucky you to have communed with a dragonfly right on your fingertip!
Quite the shnoz on that guy…
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October 4, 2010 at 6:03 am
He’s gorgeous. I’ve always liked dragon flies, but how ever did you get him to pose on your finger?
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October 4, 2010 at 6:30 pm
C,
I found him sitting in the grass early Sunday morning. I thought he might be dead, but when I put my finger underneath him, he climbed right on. And I was happy. 🙂
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October 4, 2010 at 7:01 am
I never realized these guys had such beautiful markings – guess they’ve always been going too fast to notice.
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October 4, 2010 at 7:17 am
Ok, the previous commentators stole my words:) It is like a little helicopter and it is gorgeus. And seems quite friendly as well.
I use the blog excuse all the time (even if I post too rarely:)))
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October 4, 2010 at 7:29 am
I love dragonflies; there are some blue beauties that live around here. Not only are they beautiful, but very useful! I’ve never been able to get that close to one, though…was he too chilled to take off?
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October 4, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Flartus,
I think you hit the nail right on the head. Don and I figured he was cold.
When I set him down on the bench (the latter photos), his wings started going… it was like watching a prop plane warm up. After a couple of minutes of warming the engines, he took off. It was quite magical.
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October 4, 2010 at 8:20 am
Isn’t it amazing that we can’t replicate the flight capabilities of one of the most primitive species on the planet?
And 360 degree vision! Wow – that’s a lot to process. What a little miracle. And the guy can pose.
Or girl? How does one tell?
🙂
Bugs are welcome, as long as we get our burro time too. 🙂
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October 4, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Winter,
It is amazing. Absolutely amazing.
You know, I don’t know how one tells whether it’s a boy or a girl in dragonfly. 🙂
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October 4, 2010 at 8:48 am
How cute! I never have captured a photo of one and am always envious of those who do. Very nice!!
Di
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October 4, 2010 at 8:50 am
Very Very cool photos. I’ve never seen one so close before!
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October 4, 2010 at 8:53 am
Why, hello Mr. Bug!
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October 4, 2010 at 9:18 am
I, too, have always liked and admired dragonflies. We actually seemed to have a swarm of them a few weeks ago – I’d never seen that before. Maybe a military formation for an air show?!!!
Great photos…
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October 4, 2010 at 10:55 am
Beautiful bug! They are master mosquito eaters as well.
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October 4, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Great shots!!! You make it look easy, taking pics of bugs……….. 🙂
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October 4, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Oooh, ooooh, dragonflies are fascinating. Around here there are lots of red ones and blue ones.
The pics you took are fabulous!
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October 5, 2010 at 9:05 am
I love dragonflies. I’ve seen a lot this year, but they’re always zipping around too quickly for me to capture them on film. How cool to have one actually sit on your finger! Excellent photos.
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