I shot this image back on July 3rd at Gauco Pond. It was a good day and I found several nice odonata.
Eastern Pondhawk-Erythemis simplicicollis – 
Dragonflies are fantastic fliers and among the most successful predators in the world. One reason for that is the ability to control each wing separately and independently. Up, down, side to side, and even forward and reverse. I am guessing that is why the one wing is not in plane with the others. It flew to this perch and then flew away with little effort so I don’t think it represents an injury.
I was really taken with the pattern on her abdomen.
I am also really taken with insects’ eye facets and these are beautiful. This may or may not be the same individual as I made this image about 50 feet further along the pond shore.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Excellent close-ups, Steve! These creatures are endlessly fascinating, especially when you think about the millennia they have existed on earth.
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Thanks, Ellen. There indeed and have not felt the need to evolve over that time. They have become smaller but most all else is the same. I for one am glad they are not the size of eagles.
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I’m with you on that, Steve!
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Your second picture reveals the two hooks at the tip of each leg. Some non-Odonata insects have them, too.
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“All the better to grip you with, my dear.”.
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Amazing close-up! They are pretty incredible flyers– we see them soaring around the back yard doing a great airshow. 🙂
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Thanks, Eliza! They are amazing to watch.
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It’s a gorgeous creature with irresistible eyes. I also love how the green of the thorax blends with the vegetation, and how the the wings shimmer in the light.
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They are beautiful creatures as are the majority of insects. One of the groups I belong to on Facebook, Entomology, has folks sharing insects from the world over and the beauty is astounding.
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Very nice dragonfly image Steve! I used to photograph a lot of dragonflies. And I noticed that they could fly very well even with badly damaged wings! Love the closeup of the eyes!
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Thanks, Reed. I wish I could have followed this one to see the next landing spot and then would have known for sure.
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Wonderful detail as always. Nice work!
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Thank you, Denise. Obviously I’d have preferred a cleaner comp in the first and flat wings but the dragonfly is so lovely I can’t complain all that much.
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The iridescense of the wings certainly complements — or is complemented by – the dewdrops on the grass blades. I’m pretty sure now that I’ve seen both male and female of this species; I’ll have to take a better look at my photos.
I paused over that symbol you used for female — it took me a minute to figure out what it was. When I ‘got it,’ I realized the shape of the symbol is the same as that of Akua’ba carvings from Ghana that represent the female form. Now I’m wondering if there’s a connection, or if a kind of cultural convergent evolution brought both the doll and the symbol into being.
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I always thought it was a universal symbol just as with the arrow for male. I learned the symbols here. The carving leaves little doubt as to the gender. It surely is possible that something in the design found its way into western symbolism as well. I had not seen the carving before and appreciate you sharing all that you have seen in your travels…and just plain curiosity which I could use a bit more of.
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I love the closeup view of the dragonfly facing the camera, especially how it’s upside down. Great perspective. I really enjoy these larger dragonflies, and of course the green color is real draw, too. Funny thing about that wing in the top photo. I had to look very close to see the wing and how it was oriented differently.
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At first I thought it was missing a wing until I magnified it in the LCD and saw that it was turned. I like the larger ones too. Easier to focus and capture. Thanks,Todd.
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Fantastic close-ups, Steve! The top dragonfly almost looks like it has wings made of glass, but at the same time they have a quilted appearance. Quite a combination! We see them flying around the garden here sometimes and they are fascinating to watch.
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Those delicate appearing wings have a lot of strength to them. And they make a great buzzing sound as they fly by your head. Not the largest but pretty good sized dragonflies. Thanks, Ann! I usually try to focus for the eyes and am tickled when they get caught like this.
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Oh, those eyes!!! WOWZA, what a shot, Steve!!! 🤗😊🤗
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I love faceted eyes! I can’t find it but I remember in a cartoon, Looney Tunes I think, where the cartoonist showed a character reflected in about a hundred faceted eyes of an insect. It was a cool cartoon. Just can’t remember which one. Thanks, Donna!!!
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Gosh, seems to me I remember a cartoon character like that as well! 🙂
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