I visited the swamp meadow again looking for more Grass Pinks and Rose Pogonias as well as whatever I could find. One of the “whatevers” was this damselfly, the Ebony Jewelwing-Calopteryx maculata. The white spot on the wings, called a stigma, tells us that this is a female.
I was lucky that this one set for a spell. They usually are pretty skittish.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Nice Steve! Great image! Enjoyed seeing the Ebony Jewelwing!
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Thanks, Reed. I was happy to see it fluttering about.
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What a beautiful damselfly, and such a pretty name too. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one of those.
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They are jewels. 🙂 According to this range map, they do fly in OK so maybe you’ll get to see one. What usually happens with me is that I say I never saw something and POOF, it appears the next day.
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Oh I hope you are right about “POOF, it appears”!! 😊
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Yes, wouldn’t that be nice.
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Neat-o. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a dark damselfly.
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Glad to show you something new. They are fairly common here.
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Wow, I’m in awe. Fantastic!
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It is a beauty and one that I see quite often. That may be coincidental with the ease of identification. Thank you, Ma’am. 🙂
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That is a super shot, Steve. We have similar coloured damselflies here, and they are quite skittish if you approach them.
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I was lucky to be able to capture this with the 180, Pete. I just carried in the tripod and camera with the one lens so had to be stealthy in pursuit but got lucky. As skittish as they are, I’ve been fortunate with them on a few occasions. Thanks!
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I have seen these while fishing in my favorite little trout stream in MN, though the River Jewelwings are more frequent companions. I always have a camera with me when I’m in the river, and I love to see them playing their essential in that special ecological serenity. I’ve found that they can be fairly tolerant of a reasonably-stealthful approach. I included one in a post back in 2011 (Egads! is it really so long ago?): https://krikitarts.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/warm-wishes-for-the-cold-season-part-4/
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I don’t think I’ve seen a River Jewelwing to date. BugGuide does say we are in their range, but I only saw one entry for Massachusetts…actually three but all by one person for the same date in the Eastern part of the state.
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Oh, and I neglected to mention what a fine menagerie you shared in that post as well as the first meeting of the minds between you and Steve.
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I thank you again, kind Sir–and isn’t that a nice coincidence?!
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A nice “whatever” and wonderful capture, Steve.
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Got to be ready for anything, whatever that might be, right Ellen? Just like your ventures out. 🙂
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Absolutely, Steve! I’m constantly amazed at the things I see that I didn’t expect, and what a bonus to capture a photograph.
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Splendid capture, Steve!
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Thank you, Eliza!
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Absolutely.. stunning! Crikey, Steve!
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Thanks, Rob. I appreciate that.
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This one doesn’t fly in our coastal areas, but various maps do show it in east Texas, so I might come across it. At least it’s fairly recognizable! And your photo’s superb. The wings look like window screening.
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These have some of the strongest venation that I have seen. It’s easy to recognize their flight as well by the fluttering they do. It’s a bit more noticeable because of the black wings. Thanks.
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Wow, that’s an amazing “whatever” Steve! Beautiful!!
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Thanks, Lynn.
Don’t tell them I call them that. Photographing them will become even more difficult. 🙂
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