Cruisin' along...
Good morning. Since I missed yesterday's 'Dragonfly Thursday', I'll play catch-up today. The beautiful Stream Cruiser is another of our 'first-of'season' dragonflies...first seen and photo'd on April 14th. Their coloring is bronze and silver, with the eyes being brown in immatures and turning green in adults. The thorax is bronze (brown to some) with one strong cream-colored lateral stripe. The abdomen is bronze with silver spots along the dorsal surface. They always seem to 'hang' or rest low to the ground and in the scrub and weeds, which makes it very difficult to get a clean bg or good DoF...=-}
A note about their coloring...they are described in the field guides as 'brown and cream-colored', but the ones I've seen here seem more 'bronze and silvery'.
The first shot in the comment section is of a pair in the mating wheel position. But as I looked more closely when I brought it up on the computer I noticed they had a little visitor...a little Treehopper decided to 'sit a spell'.
And the last two captures in the comment section shows what they look like in uncropped photos. It is very difficult to get an eye on them unless they move.
And once again before the new season begins, I would like to share my Dragonfly sightings and documented species...28 species, the best year so far for count here at home:
Common Green Darner, Springtime Darner, Stream Cruiser, Dragonhunter, Slaty Skimmer, Common Whitetail, Wandering Glider, Eastern Amberwing, Blue Corporal, Flagtail Spinylegs,
Calico Pennant, Halloween Pennant, Eastern Pondhawk, Gilded River Cruiser, Blue Dasher, Spangled Skimmer, Black Saddlebags, Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Pronghorn Clubtail, Banded Pennant,
Black shouldered Spinglegs, Autumn Meadowhawk, Variegated Meadowhawk, Arrowhead Spiketail, Plains Clubtail, Common Baskettail, Prince Baskettail, Widow Skimmer.
Large size is best in all instances, if time permits.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday and upcoming weekend...=-)
Daisy
Comments and faves
Daisy Mai-ling (4 months ago | reply)
Taking a little rest...a Treehopper takes advantage of the situation...
Unusual to see these larger dragon's with their wings closed...
These last two posts are uncropped so one can see how difficult it is to see these dragon's
in a natural setting.
Daylily18 (4 months ago | reply)
What an interesting series. They are a different color than I've ever seen.
I like the little leafhopper taking a rest. Very nice presentation, Daisy.
Have a good weekend.
nilliske (4 months ago | reply)
Stunning image. Well done.
Meredith M! (4 months ago | reply)
Excellent series, a very impressive dragonfly. Nicely spotted, those uncropped shots do give a good sense of what it's like to see these in their habitat. Thinking about 'first of the season' dragonflies makes me itchy for spring to come! Take care and have a nice weekend.
Meredith M! added this photo to her favorites. (4 months ago)
jenofdiamond (4 months ago | reply)
Great series Daisy! Oooo, can't wait for spring too - just a couple more months to get through!
jrix (4 months ago | reply)
I enjoyed seeing this unusual pose with the dragonfly hanging instead of being perched atop something. And how surprising it was to see that Treehopper resting on the wing.
Paul Hueber (4 months ago | reply)
Nice series. They are well camouflaged.
GlobeTrotter 2000 (4 months ago | reply)
So beautiful !
mcnod (4 months ago | reply)
Very informative, great series. ;-)
pieceoflace (4 months ago | reply)
Good chilly morning Daisy....and missed this somehow yesterday. Nice find and series of shots of a dragonfly I've never seen here. Neat capture with the Leafhopper on the dragonfly's wing. Nice list too. A few more than my lowly 24 last season, but the same as my best year in 2010. I hope you are well and have a nice weekend. Near 10 degrees here earlier this morning...I hope it's warmer there.
This photo was invited and added to the Dragonfly & Damselfly Moments group.
MO FunGuy (4 months ago | reply)
Super Shots of a real neat Ode !!!
Vicki's Nature (4 months ago | reply)
I love these and you even captured them mating!! I hope I'm lucky enough to spot one this season.
We're going down to 19o tonight - I know it must be even colder up your way. I've been feeding the birds like crazy today. We lost a 70 foot tree in the arctic gusts.
Stay warm!!
This photo was invited and added to the Dragonfly Gallery - Vote NOW for Photograph of the Month group.
pieceoflace (4 months ago | reply)
I hope you are well Daisy, and wishing you a most...
Vicki's Nature (4 months ago | reply)
Happy Valentine's Daisy !!!