... and has to brag about it. It's not often I get a dragonfly (mostly) in focus and had to show it off. I didn't know what forum to post it in since I already knew what it was, but GD has been posting some good dragonfly images here so I will be a copycat. This is the spot-winged glider, Pantala hymenaea. It is one of the dragonflies that can be found in large swarms migrating about in the countryside and spends much of its time aloft. This one roosted just ahead of a storm front to wait out the rain and I failed to scare it off as I approached. A 300mm lens didn't hurt either. You can see how much surface area is in the hind wings, a real advantage to a species that spends most of its time on the move. The nymphs can be found in rainpools and shallow, clear water, especially if it is shaded. Several years ago I discovered some nymphs in a water fountain on my deck that sat in a corner surrounded by potted plants. Somehow the dragonfly found it and deposited her eggs and eleven of the young managed to make it to the adult stage and fly off.
FM
