Field Notes: First Damselflies

We saw our first damselflies Sunday at the Valley Water in Green-Wood. The very first one we noticed, alas, was dead. All four wings can be seen clearly here.
Mid-April is early for damselflies in these parts (and it was a rather cool day). Most species emerge later in the year, mid-May and after. The heat of summer brings them and their dragonfly cousins out in force.
We couldn’t identify these. Damselflies are hard. The females are often quite different than the males. And, of course, they are so small and elusive. Still, we love them, truly, madly, deeply.